Pre-Kindergarten Application Guide

Parent(s)/Legal guardian(s), if you have a pre-kindergarten 4 child to enroll for the 2025-2026 school year, please contact your home school or call 301-475-5511 x32136.

2026-2027 Pre-Kindergarten Application Guide

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) offers full-day Pre-Kindergarten to children who reside in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, meet age requirements, and are income eligible (COMAR 13A.06.03.02).  The Pre-Kindergarten programs provide high-quality, early learning experiences to help children develop basic skills and concepts necessary for success in kindergarten. Per the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, acceptance in Pre-Kindergarten is based on age, proof of residency, income verification, and if a family is experiencing homelessness.

Need Assistance?

Staff from the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Review Team is available to answer child-specific questions regarding the Pre-Kindergarten Program. 

For additional help and information:

• Submit a Helpdesk ticket
• Call (301) 475-5511 x32136 or 32285
• Email cmwoodley@smcps.org
• Hay asistencia bilingüe disponible, x32285

Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Eligibility

SMCPS adheres to the guidelines provided by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and regulations from the  Maryland State Department of Education.  A tiered status system is used to determine eligibility:  

Tier I Status

• Family experiencing homelessness
• Annual family income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

Tier II Status

• Annual family income is between 301-600% of the Federal Poverty Level

Tier III Status

• Annual family income is at or above 601% of the Federal Poverty Level

The Blueprint Pre-Kindergarten Eligibility Requirements: 

Age

• The child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the year they are applying.
• To register for SY 2026-2027, the child’s birthdate must be between September 2, 2021 - September 1, 2022, without exception.

Proof of Residency

• The family resides in St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Income Verification

• The family's annual income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level 
• The family is experiencing  homelessness (verified by the Department of Student Services)

Required Documents

A 2026-2027 Pre-Kindergarten 4 Application and Required Documents must be provided by any family who voluntarily applies for Pre-Kindergarten 4.  All completed applications are screened for eligibility.  There are four (4) required documents for screening.  They are:

1. 2026-2027 Pre-Kindergarten 4 Application (online preferred)

2. Proof of Birth (copies are acceptable)

• Birth Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate
• Physician’s certificate
• Hospital Birth Registration
• Passport (valid, unexpired passport which displays the child’s date of birth)

3. Proof of Residency (copies are acceptable)

• Deed with 911 address assignment, mortgage statement with 911 address assignment, and/or signed rental agreement or lease which shows occupancy of an owned or rented domicile
• Building contract (letter from builder, realtor, landlord, etc., which indicates 911 address and projected occupancy date)
• Current property tax bill/Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation form;
• Current utility bill with parent(s)/guardian(s), name 911 address, and service address of a bona fide residence (no post office box is accepted - wireless telephone bills are not acceptable); Physical address and service address must match
•  The Landlord Affidavit form (PS 604) must be completed and signed by the landlord and the parent/legal guardian. The landlord must provide current proof of residency as described above.
• Patuxent River Naval Base housing form NOW-NATC-1110-1/15, Assignment to Public Quarters, which identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary’s County or other official documentation of housing as provided through the Private-Public Venture Housing/Military Housing Privatization Initiative (Standard Lease Agreement)
• Hardship case as determined by the Director of Student Services
• Maryland Safe At Home Address Protection Program documentation (COMAR.01.02.11)

4. Income Verification

 Income verification is required to be submitted with all applications. You must disclose and upload income documentation, as follows:

• 2025 IRS form  (W2, 1099, 1040); OR
• Three (3) consecutive pay stubs within 2 months of submitting the Pre-K Application

 Additional income the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) receive to support the child and family may include:

• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Letter displaying current and up-to-date verification and award amount
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) letter displaying current and up-to-date verification
• Proof that the child receives Medicaid Services
• Child Support
• Social Security Insurance (SSI)
• Social Security Benefits or Pension

Organizing Required Documents 

Before submitting the online application, it is important that parent(s)/legal guardian(s) collect all required documents. You may scan or take a picture, and/or upload an electronic image of the required documents. These required documents must be uploaded when completing the online application. It is important to note that a delay in receiving the required documents will delay the screening of the application.

The online application allows the parent/legal guardian to SAVE their progress and return to the application at a later date. The parent/legal guardian must provide their email address in order to retrieve a SAVED application.

When the parent/legal guardian submits the application, it becomes viewable by the home school and the ECE Review Team. 

To make changes after an application has been submitted, please contact Charlottis Woodley at cmwoodley@smcps.org or call (301) 475-5511, ext. 32136 or 32285.

Pre-Kindergarten School Registration 

Applicants who are determined to be eligible will be registered at the home school or at a school with seat capacity. Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) are required to complete the registration process by providing the following documentation to the home school. 

• SMCPS Registration Information (PS 200)
• Photo Identification of Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s)
• Child’s Social Security Number (Optional)
• Record of Immunization
• Medical Physical Examination
• Maryland Home Language Survey
• Student Health Information
• Acceptable Use Policy for Technology
• Online Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application
• Child Custody or Court Orders

Home School District

Information regarding which school serves a family’s residential area is provided by the Department of Capital Planning. To locate a home school zone, please visit the school system website's Office of Capital Planning page. Use the Find a School by your address button to locate the home school by street name.  

Bus Transportation

The safety of students during their transport to and from school is a responsibility that students and their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) share with the bus driver and school officials. A parent or designated responsible party (at least 13-years-old) must be at the bus stop to put the student on or take a student off the bus. If no adult is at the bus stop to receive a student, the student will be returned to the school.

The Department of Transportation publishes bus routes in July/August of each year. To locate the bus that is assigned to a family’s home address, go to the Bus Stop and School Locator. Here you will be able to locate the bus number and schedule.

Vaccination & Medical Information

In order for a child to enter a Maryland public school for the first time, the following health-related items are required:

Medical Physical Exam

• A physical examination by a physician or certified nurse practitioner must be completed within nine months prior to entering the public school system or within six months after entering the system.

Immunization Records

• Evidence of complete Maryland required immunizations for all students in preschool through the twelfth grade.

Blood Lead Certificate

• Evidence of Maryland blood testing for lead screening is required for all students born on or after 1/1/2015 when first entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade.

If parents/legal guardians have any questions related to immunization or health requirements, you may contact the school nurse at the home school.

Pre-Kindergarten Locations

All families have access to a Pre-Kindergarten 4 program in an elementary school. There are three (3) schools where the students attend a neighboring school for Pre-Kindergarten. Pre-Kindergarten Bus shuttle service is provided from the home school to the neighboring school.

Neighboring Schools for the 2026-2027 school year

• Mechanicville Elementary students attend Oakville Elementary
• White Marsh Elementary students attend Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary
• Evergreen Elementary students attend Green Holly Elementary

Disclosure of Student Records

In accordance with St. Mary’s County Board of Education Regulations (JIH-R), the written consent of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must be obtained for disclosure of any personally identifiable records about a student for educational purposes, such as registration and enrollment. Confidentiality is maintained with regard to all student records.

Student Transfer Request for 2026-2027 School Year

Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) may indicate on the Pre-Kindergarten Application a desire to transfer their child to a school outside their home school zone. This does not guarantee that a child will be granted a student transfer. Permission to transfer from the home school to another school zone is a privilege that must be requested and approved annually by the Director of Student Services. 

A transfer will only be considered after placement in the home school has been offered and if space exists at the requested transfer school. A parent/legal guardian may indicate on the Pre-Kindergarten 4 Application if they would like to be considered for a student transfer outside the home school zone. Home schools will provide the official Student Transfer Request forms to parent(s)/legal guardian(s) after acceptance to the home school has been verified. The ECE Review Team will process student transfer requests at a time to be determined.

How to Apply

• Parents/Legal Guardians gather required documents
• Parents/Legal Guardians complete and submit the online application
  • Paper applications are available in English and Spanish by contacting the home school

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Review Team Determines Eligibility

All families are welcome to apply. Income verification is required and is the primary qualifier for acceptance. All submitted applications are screened. The Pre-Kindergarten program is funded by the Blueprint For Maryland's Future Grant, and preference is given to economically disadvantaged families. The ECE review team does not accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance is based on the Blueprint criteria and eligibility.

• The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) of applicants who meet Tier I status will receive acceptance notification by email starting mid-May.
• Applicants who meet Tier II and Tier III status will be placed on an over-income/waitlist. The waitlisted families will be notified by email starting mid-May. 

After October 1, 2026, based on available space and site-specific locations, families on the over-income/ waitlist may be contacted in rank order and offered a seat in a Pre-Kindergarten program where space and location are available.  

New Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Federal Poverty Level Calculator

MSDE has provided Local Education Agencies (LEA) with an interactive Pre-Kindergarten cost calculator, which provides: 

• Tier Level Status
• Federal Poverty Level Percentage

This tool streamlines the process of determining eligibility and Tier status for families who wish to apply for enrollment in a Pre-Kindergarten 4 program. The cost calculator requires the family to input:

• Household size 
• Household income
• Child’s age

Maryland State Department of Education Federal Poverty Level CalculatorIf an application does not meet eligibility criteria, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) will be notified in writing by the ECE Review Team. If the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) need more information regarding the status of an application or would like to appeal a decision, they should contact Mrs. Charlottis Woodley via email at cmwoodley@smcps.org or call (301) 475-5511, ext. 32136.

Contact Information

All elementary schools will provide information about their Pre-Kindergarten 4 Program, and will be available to answer questions. Please visit the elementary school websites or call the home school main office for additional assistance.

Staff from the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Review Team are available to answer child-specific questions regarding the Pre-Kindergarten 4 Program. For additional help and information:

• Submit a Helpdesk ticket
• Call (301) 475-5511 x32136
• Email cmwoodley@smcps.org
• Hay asistencia bilingüe disponible, x32285 

Additional Resources

• 2026-2027 Pre-Kindergarten 4 General Information Flyer 
• Maryland State Department of Education Federal Poverty Level Cost Calculator
• My Coverage Federal Poverty Level Calculator
• Blueprint For Maryland’s Future Early Childhood (Pillar 1)
• 2026-2027 Pre-Kindergarten Application