Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) now accepts applications for our 2025-26 school year preschool programs. If you have a child who will turn 3 or 4 by September 30, 2025, we may be able to provide your child with a FREE preschool experience if found eligible. If you do not have a child in this age range, we hope you will share this information with a friend or family member who does.
Our program does not serve children under four. If you have a child under four and are seeking a free preschool experience, you should contact Amanda Meadows at go2grow.org.
All applicants must be residents of Albemarle County and meet the state-required income guidelines or our local criteria.
Our preschool programs operate five days a week and follow the ACPS school calendar and school hours of 7:45-2:30. They require full-day participation. Each program is uniquely designed to help children become kindergarten-ready through play and learning activities. We are not a child-care center. Therefore, we only accept students whose families will ensure regular, daily attendance. There is no extended day, afterschool program available to preschool students, so families who apply should ensure they have childcare available after the 2:30 school dismissal.
Offered especially for families who face barriers in accessing other early childhood options, our preschool programs provide many benefits for participants, including:
- High-quality and engaging preschool programming;
- Improved nutrition and health;
- Higher scores on math and reading achievement tests; and
- Higher levels of schooling attained and increased high school graduation rates.
To learn more about our preschool programs, eligibility criteria, and application process, please visit the ACPS Preschool web page or access the application directly at go2grow.org.
The online application allows families to submit a single application for up to four preschool programs and is available in several languages. Please note that applicants must provide documentation showing proof of income, address, and the child’s birth along with their application. We encourage completing the online application to ensure that it is received directly.
We invite you to contact ACPS Preschool Coordinator Lisa Molinaro to learn more about our preschool offerings. We look forward to supporting you and helping you connect your child to early childhood education in Albemarle County Public Schools!
If you have any questions, you can reach Lisa Molinaro through any of the following:
- Call or text 434-566-7111
- Call 434-296-5820 ext. 13524
- Email lisamo@k12albemarle.org
Thank you
Online Application | English Application | Spanish Application | Dari Application |