Posted January 5, 2023
Update: The deadline has been extended to Friday, February 24th
The Colorado Dept. of Early Childhood (CDEC) is running their own algorithm with its own priorities and rules. For example, school boundary is not a priority in the new algorithm.
The CDEC will account for the following priorities:
DPS is partnering with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (“CDEC”) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education program to more students and families. Preschool, also called Early Childhood Education, or ECE, helps young children develop cognitively, socially and emotionally. This strong foundation readies them to enter the elementary years successfully and continue their joy
of learning.
The SchoolChoice process for ECE families will be much different than in previous years due to Colorado voters passing Proposition EE in 2020 which Governor Polis signed into law in April 2022. Under the new state program, Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado, families will be following the CDEC’s new application and lottery process to match their child with quality voluntary preschool at more than 80 schools in DPS or through private providers.
As this is a new process, there are still a lot of unknowns and families are encouraged to apply early to best navigate this process.
Please take the following steps to apply to a DPS ECE program:
ECE4:
1) Apply on the DPS SchoolChoice website at https://dps.schoolmint.net between January 13 and February 14 (closes at 4:00 pm). You will not select schools here– your school choices will not be recorded unless you also complete the next step.
2) Apply on the UPK website between January 17 and February 15 to select the schools to which you would like to apply.
Please note, the new state implemented process will not have a waitlist for ECE4 applications unlike the DPS ECE lottery system. As a state entity we must comply with the new CDEC program, and follow the guidance provided at the state level.
More information about the state’s inaugural Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado program can be found on https://cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-universal-preschool. We will continue to update this page as new details come in. If you have questions during the new application process, please contact the CDEC at (800) 799 5876.
The SchoolChoice process for ECE families will be much different than in previous years due to Colorado voters passing Proposition EE in 2020 which Governor Polis signed into law in April 2022. Along with other Colorado school districts, DPS is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education program by rolling out a new enrollment process for Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado. This new change will provide additional funding opportunities for our ECE-providing schools and district partners, including charter schools and private ECE providers.
Please refer to the CDEC’s Family FAQ page for more information.
Please refer to the CDEC’s Qualifying Factors page for more information.
We encourage ECE parents to apply as early as possible to avoid potential delays or limited opportunities as waitlists will not be utilized for UPK Colorado applications. Please refer to this letter to families for more information.
Families must complete both applications to be considered.
Tuition rates are still being determined, however families enrolled in a full day preschool program, will only be responsible for half the cost, as half the cost will be covered by the UPK Colorado Program.
4 year olds with qualifying factors may be eligible for additional funding via the UPK Colorado Program.
Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for part-time (10 hours per week) of preschool programming. Please refer to the CDEC’s Family FAQ page for more information.