Families who wish to apply for their student to attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ prekindergarten program in the 2025-2026 school year may do so online beginning on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. To help ensure equitable access for all families, the registration link will be available at www.aacps.org/earlychildhood beginning at 5 p.m.
AACPS will offer prekindergarten programs for 4-year-olds in 67 schools across the county in the 2025-2026 school year.
As called for by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint), families will apply for prekindergarten through a centralized online enrollment process that is managed by the AACPS Early Childhood Office. Prekindergarten registration is no longer first come, first served.
AACPS is required to offer prekindergarten enrollment to families who qualify under the priority enrollment qualifications set forth in the Blueprint. These qualifications, in priority order, are:
household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or families experiencing homelessness.
students with active Individualized Education Plans or Individualized Family Service Plan with a household income at or below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
home language other than English with a household income at or below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Information about prekindergarten programs in AACPS and an online application can be found at www.aacps.org/earlychildhood beginning at 5 p.m. on May 6, 2025.
Children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025. Registration must be done by a parent or legal guardian. No additional documentation is uploaded with the application.
Should seats remain after enrollment of students in the above categories, schools may enroll students with other readiness needs at the beginning of October. When offered a seat in the program, families applying for prekindergarten must provide:
the student’s original birth certificate or birth record.
a copy of the student’s immunization record.
two proofs of residency (rental or mortgage agreement and current utility bill).
custody order (if applicable).
Additionally, families must verify their income eligibility when offered a seat by submitting one of the following:
Federal Income Tax Return (1040 statement) along with documentation related to other sources of income such as child support and/or rental income for each adult in the household
Current award letter for Temporary Cash Assistance
Current award letter for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Documentation for foster care
McKinney-Vento Program Enrollment Form
Each elementary school in AACPS now has an assigned 4-year-old prekindergarten location. Families will be offered a seat in the program at the closest prekindergarten location with availability.
Families who do not have internet access or who need additional assistance completing an application should contact the school at which they intend to enroll their student. School staff are able to assist families with completion of the online application.
Information about the recommended immunizations for children entering school is available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.
Families with further questions or individual concerns can contact the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Early Childhood Office at earlychildhood@aacps.org.