three young students

Preschool (Pre-K)

The Worcester Public Schools offers preschool (pre-K) for children who are typically developing and children who have special needs. Please note there are a limited number of classroom seats and students are admitted through a lottery.

Students must be 4 years old by December 31, 2024, to be admitted for the 2024-25 school year.

All classrooms are staffed by a Massachusetts-certified early childhood teacher and an instructional assistant.

Dual Language Program Registration
Open House Schedule

To Apply for Preschool:

2025-26 Preschool Application and Timeline

  • Families can apply for preschool for the 2025-26 school year between Thursday, January 2, 2025 and Friday, March 14, 2025.

  • Families will be notified if they are accepted by Friday, May 2, 2025.

  • Families who are accepted into the lottery will need to enroll in the Worcester Public Schools no later than Friday, May 16, 2025.

Application Form

Questions

  • Go back to the Enrollment page

  • Contact the Parent Information Center at 768 Main St., Worcester, by calling 508-799-3194 from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Preschool Locations for the 2025 – 2026 Year

Please note that school bus transportation is not available for these programs unless your child receives transportation as part of their special education services.

Integrated Half Day Preschool Programs Offering AM & PM Sessions:

  • AM hours 7:45AM – 10:15AM / PM hours 11:20 AM – 1:50 PM

    • Canterbury Magnet Computer-Based School, 129 Canterbury Street

    • Vernon Hill School, 211 Providence Street


  • AM hours 7:55AM – 10:25AM / PM hours 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

    • Elm Park School, 23 North Ashland Street

    • Norrback Avenue School, 44 Malden Street

  • AM hours 8:15AM – 10:45AM / PM hours 11:50 AM – 2:20 PM

    • Belmont Street Community School, 170 Belmont Street

    • Goddard School of Science & Technology, 14 Richards Street

    • Roosevelt School, 1006 Grafton Street

  • AM hours 8:00AM – 10:30AM / PM hours 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

    • Worcester Technical High School, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way


  • AM hours 8:25AM – 10:55 AM / PM hours 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

    • Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, 772 Main Street

    • Quinsigamond School, 14 Blackstone River Road

    • Worcester Arts Magnet School, 315 St. Nichols Avenue

    • Tatnuck Magnet School, 1083 Pleasant Street


  • AM hours 9:05 AM – 11:35 AM / PM hours 12:40 PM – 3:10 PM

    • City View Discovery School, 80 Prospect Street (morning is special education only)

    • Gates Lane School of International Studies, 1238 Main Street

    • Nelson Place School, 35 Nelson Place

    • West Tatnuck School, 300 Mower Street

Full Day Preschool Programs:

  • City View Discovery School, 80 Prospect Street (9:05AM – 3:10PM)

  • Clark Street Community School, 280 Clark Street (9:05 AM – 3:10 PM)

  • Jacob Hiatt Magnet School, 772 Main Street (8:25 AM-2:30 PM)

  • South High Community School, 170 Apricot Street (7:45AM – 1:50PM)

  • Nelson Place, 35 Nelson Place (9:05AM – 3:10PM)

Dual Language Full Day Preschool Program:

Dual language is open to all students, regardless of the languages spoken at home.

Tips for Preschool and Kindergarten

Worcester Public Schools provides parents and caregivers with lots of useful information for families to help their children get ready to attend preschool and kindergarten.