St. Mary's County Public Schools' Pre-Kindergarten 4 Application

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32178
Dr. Joseph R. Beavers, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32135

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will begin to accept Pre-Kindergarten 4 Applications on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.  The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future allows for families with children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025, to apply for full-day Pre-Kindergarten.  All families are welcome to apply; however, income is the primary qualifier for eligibility.  Families with an annual income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or families that are experiencing homelessness are deemed income eligible and will be accepted first. In 2025-2026 only: Children who are identified as a multilingual learner, where English is not the home language, and/or children with a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/ Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and the annual family income is at or below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level may be admitted.  The Maryland State Department of Education has provided a Federal Poverty Level calculator to assist in determining income eligibility.

All applications will be screened and identified on a System of Tiers.

2025-2026 Blueprint	Tier I	Tier II	Tier III
Federal Poverty Level (FPL)	< 300%	301 –360%	>361%
	< 600% Active IEP
	< 600% Multilingual Learner

Families with an annual income that exceeds 301% FPL, are placed on the over-income/waitlist.  Families are advised to seek alternate options to meet their childcare needs should seat capacity be filled.  After October 1, 2025, depending on available seats and school location, waitlisted families may be contacted in rank order and offered a seat where available.  Families will be notified Mid-May of their acceptance or waitlist status by the Early Childhood Education Team.

Families must submit the following required documents with the applications so it may be screened for eligibility:

Proof of Birth (Birth Certificate, Valid and un-expired Passport/Visa, Physician’s Certificate, Baptismal/Church Certificate, or Birth Registration)

Proof of Residency (Deed, Mortgage, Rental Agreement/Lease, Current Property Tax Bill, or Current Utility Bill (PO Box is not acceptable))

Income Verification (2024 W-2, or three (3) recent consecutive pay stubs.  Additional income sources includes: Child Support, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Social Security Benefits (SSA), Social Security Insurance (SSI) or Medicaid)

The SMCPS website, www.smcps.org has information and guidance for the completion of the 2025-2026 Pre-Kindergarten Application.  You may also contact us with the helpdesk form, call 301-475-5511, ext. 32285, or contact Mrs. Charlottis Woodley, Director of Parent & Family Engagement, at cmwoodley@smcps.org.  Spanish language assistance is available.