Pre-K & Kindergarten registration opens on April 1, 2026 and can be completed online at worcesterk12.org! Make sure you have the required documents ready:
Birth Certificate, Proof of Residency, Proof of Income, Immunization Records
Age requirements
PreK 3 - must be 3 years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year.
PreK 4 - must be 4 years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year.
Kindergarten - must be 5 years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year.
Income requirements
Pre-Kindergarten was established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop kindergarten readiness. It is offered first to economically disadvantaged or homeless children who meet the age requirements. Remaining seats may then be offered to children demonstrating a lack of readiness. We require proof of income to assess those qualifications. Acceptable forms of proof of income include last year's tax returns or W-2s, or one month's worth of pay stubs (must be most recent month).
Timeline of Acceptance
Registration opens on April 1st. At the end of each month, registrars will review all complete applications. Complete means that all online forms have been filled out and submitted, and that all necessary documents, including income, have been submitted, either online or in person. Complete registrations that meet the income qualifications will receive a letter of acceptance. Complete registrations that do not meet the income qualifications will be put on a wait list. These reviews will occur at the end of April, May, and June. Registrars do not work during the summer. Therefore, the next round of reviews will occur in August when they return to work.
PreK questions
What happens when my child is put on the waitlist?
Please reference our PK registration timeline found here.
For how many years do I have to provide income?
If submitting a tax return, it must be the most recent. If submitting paystubs, it must be the most recent 3 paystubs, or 1 month’s worth.
Does attendance count for PreKindergarten?
PreKindergarten does not fall under compulsory attendance laws in the State of Maryland. However, all students enrolled in Worcester County Schools are expected to attend regularly.
When do I find out if my child gets accepted into PreK?
Please refer to our PreK timeline here.
Why do I have to provide proof of income?
PreKindergarten was established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to develop kindergarten readiness. It is offered first to economically disadvantaged or homeless children who meet the age requirements. Remaining seats may then be offered to children demonstrating a lack of readiness. We require proof of income to assess those qualifications.
What are all the criteria for accepting a child into PK4?
All students must meet age, residency, and immunization requirements. PreK students must also meet income and/or readiness qualifications.
If my child is accepted, when do I find out who the teacher is?
Each school will communicate teacher assignments by the end of August.
My child’s birthday is September 2nd. Do I really have to wait another year to enroll them in school?
Yes. The age requirements come directly from MSDE. If you have further questions, you may call the district office at 410-632-5000.
My child will be attending school for the first time this fall. How can I prepare them to be ready?
We have some resources available for our new PreK and K students.