Countywide Prekindergarten/Head Start Application Now Open
Registration is now open. Find out more.
Updates: Due to COVID-19 and the school closures, it has not been possible for parents/guardians to visit schools to apply for Pre-Kindergarten or Head Start early childhood programs. We are pleased to announce the opening of the online application process and the availability of paper applications to parents/guardians.
The application will remain open throughout the summer and members of the Department of Supplemental School Programs will be available should anyone need additional assistance. You may send an email to HeadStartPreK@smcps.org or leave a message at (301) 475-5511, ext. 32136.
Please understand our goal is to provide families with accurate and helpful information. Some inquiries may require our staff to retrieve input from various departments; therefore, we will do our best to return your email or phone messages within 72 work hours.
Thank you for your interest in applying to the St. Mary's County Public Schools’ Head Start and Pre-Kindergarten programs.
We Wish You Well,
Head Start/Pre-K Application Team
SMCPS Head Start
The SMCPS Head Start program provides services for children ages three through five and their families. Mrs. Andrea Owens is the coordinator for the St. Mary's County Schools Head Start Program. Mrs. Kelly Hall oversees this program in addition to our other early childhood development programs. We work together with our community partners to ensure that children are socially, emotionally, and physically ready to transition to Kindergarten.
Two Sites
- Northern: Benjamin Banneker Elementary School
- Southern: Greenview Knolls Elementary School
Top Resources
ABOUT HEAD START
Our focus is to provide a learning environment that supports children’s growth in the following domains:
- Language and literacy
- Cognition and general knowledge
- Physical development and health
- Social and emotional development
Head Start provides comprehensive services to enrolled low-income children and their families, which includes health, nutrition, social and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments.
MISSION
Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. The Head Start program builds relationships with families that support:
- Family well-being and positive parent-child relationships
- Families as learners and lifelong educators
- Family engagement in transitions
- Family connections to peers and community
- Families as advocates and leaders
FUNDING
Head Start is a five-year grant federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages three through five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development.