2024-2025 Preschool interest form and overview packet has been posted as of Monday, March 4, 2024.
Information about the 2024-2025 Preschool Program is subject to change based on annual updates during the legislative session of the General Assembly, from the Virginia Department of Education, or based on program needs determined by GCPS leadership.
This page contains information for families to apply to the 2024-2025 GCPS Preschool Program.
Please read through all of this information; the link for the online interest form will be available at the bottom of the page.
2024-2025 Age Cohorts—a child is a considered a Three-year-old/3YO or Four-year-old/4YO based on their age cohort for the duration of the school year, which is determined by when they will enter Kindergarten:
3YO: Oct. 1, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2021 (will enter Kindergarten Fall 2026)
4YO: Oct. 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2020 (will enter Kindergarten Fall 2025)
To apply for a child to attend a GCPS Preschool Program:
Step One: Read about our program on the webpage or in the Overview Packet.
Step Two: Complete the Interest Form below to receive the funding application forms. Forms will be sent to you by email unless you request a postal mail delivery.
Step Three: Complete and return the funding application forms by email or to our Central Office.
Step Four: When you receive notification of placement for your child, then you will follow the instructions provided to complete his/her enrollment.
All families will need to have an accessible email address to submit your funding application and required documentation, and/or to receive any requests for additional information or updates. Forms should be submitted by email to [email protected] with your Child's Name in the Subject line. Forms may also be returned to the School Board Office: 6099 TC Walker Road, Gloucester, VA 23061. Notification of receipt of forms or missing documentation will be sent via email. Please check all mailboxes (e.g., Junk, Spam) for your email address. Do not submit forms through a school.
The video below is a visual overview of the preschool application process.
The video below is a narrated presentation of the preschool application process recorded in 2023. The information is the same for 2024-2025.
Placement at a school site is based on several criteria but includes home street address and proximity to one of the program sites:
Abingdon Elementary School
Achilles Elementary School
Bethel Elementary School
Botetourt Elementary School
Petsworth Elementary School
Transportation
Transportation is provided for students living within their designated school zone (e.g., their home address) or for students served by the Office of Special Education. Transportation might be available for tuition-based students based on route availability and classroom placement. Transportation to an address other than the student’s home will be considered on a case by case basis. Please submit on the designated form in writing if transportation is needed to a location other than home address. Transportation cannot be provided to more than one school attendance zone for any student. (Ex. We cannot pick up a student in Bethel zone in the morning and drop the same student off in Abingdon zone in the afternoon.)
GCPS preschool classrooms for ages 3 and 4 will operate with the same school calendar as the Gloucester County Public Schools K-12 program, with flexibility at the student or school level based on needs and services.
Early Learners: Students, including all two-year-olds, are identified and served by the Office of Special Education and receive services determined by their IEP team;
Three-year-old students will attend for a partial-day; students served by the Office of Special Education will receive services determined by their IEP team; some students may be designated to participate in the Early Learner Program.
Four-year-old students served by the Office of Special Education will receive services determined by their IEP team;
Four-year-old students not served by the Office of Special Education may indicate a full- or partial-day preference at the time of application; preference will be considered but cannot be guaranteed due to enrollment and classroom considerations.
Students not served by the Office of Special Education or eligible through VPI funding will be considered potential tuition-based students, and will be placed on the waitlist by age and school zone until space is deemed available.
The early childhood classroom environment is guided by a research-based curriculum aligned with the Virginia preschool standards. This curriculum promotes a child’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical growth. Movement breaks are incorporated throughout the day.
Download this checklist in Spanish
Interest Form for the 2024-2025 GCPS Preschool Program
Interest Form--click here: http://tinyurl.com/24-25GCPSPreschool
GCPS Preschool Program Overview Packet for 2024-2025
VDOE Resources: Use this very detailed document to determine household size and membership.
If you need assistance or have questions about this program, please contact the GCPS Office of Special Education: (804) 693-7944.