PreK Applications Open March 4, 2024
Please deliver your PreK application to any District school or the central office. We do not use online registration for PreK.
In an effort to increase access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities for students prior to entering Kindergarten, M.S.A.D. No. 75 provides two PreK classes, for a total of 32 students.
Students must be 4 years old by October 15, 2024. The program uses the same calendar as grades K-12, runs five days a week, and approximately 6 hours per day. Transportation is not provided. One class is at the Williams-Cone School in Topsham, while the other is at Midcoast Maine Community Action’s (MMCA) Head Start collaborative classroom located at the Bowdoin Central School.
2024-25 PreK Basics:
Why:
Through the PreK program, we hope to increase access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities for students prior to entering Kindergarten. The program supports physical, social, emotional, and academic development so that students become stronger learners, ready for Kindergarten and beyond.
Who:
Families from across the district (32 students, 16 per class) are welcome to apply, beginning a multiple-step process. These steps will give enrollment priority to students who:
- Demonstrate need through screening
- Have not had formal preschool experiences
- Family income level (for MMCA class only, as per federal guidelines.) If you are unsure about how these will affect your child's prioritization, we encourage you to apply anyway so that we will be able to find out.
When:
The PreK classes follow the District calendar - 175 student days (five days per week).
- Williams-Cone: Hours are 8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., 9 a.m. start on Wednesdays, including a rest period, breakfast, lunch, and snack time. Before and after-care is available for a fee by Family Focus.
- Bowdoin Central School: Hours are 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 9 a.m. on Wednesdays including a rest period, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack provided. Before and after-care is not available.
What:
- A developmentally-appropriate program, aligned with the Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS) guiding principles. To find out more about MELDS, go to MELDS.
- Each class will use instructional materials that are evidence-based and align with the MELDS. Growth will be monitored by the teachers using appropriate assessments.
- The daily schedule will adhere to state (and federal in the case of Head Start) regulations, which include aspects such as student grouping, physical movement, fresh air, and rest. Similarly, the setting will be appropriately sized, accessible, and proximate to necessary resources (toilets, sinks, personal storage).
- Each class will have at least two staff members (eg. a Maine-certified Early Childhood teacher, and an Educational Technician III) to ensure that a 1:8 ratio is achieved.
How:
- There is no cost to families.
- Families that wish to include their child(ren) will apply. This is a simplified registration process that includes basic information about the student(s) and includes family income details. Students will then be screened (using the same screener we use for Kindergarten but calibrated for four-year-olds), ultimately determining which students will be invited to the program. Families will then complete a full enrollment packet for their child(ren).
- Partner with Child Development Services (CDS) to provide IEP-identified support for students with mild developmental needs (such as speech, PT/OT, etc.)
- Pre-K does not take the place of Kindergarten Jumpstart, a program funded by Title IA, which supports students in knowing their letter names and letter sounds.
During the period of March 1 through March 26, 2024, applications can be delivered to any district elementary school or the Superintendent's Office. (Application materials include a certified birth certificate, immunization record, and proof of residency in the District in the form of a recent utility bill.) The application period may be extended based on the number of applicants.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Amanda Hersey at 207-729-9961 ext. 1014, or email to [email protected].
Thank you for your interest in the PreK program.
Steps for PreK Application