Preschool, also called Early Childhood Education or ECE, helps young children develop mentally, socially and emotionally. The DPS Early Education program provides quality half- and full-day preschool at more than 80 DPS schools. DPS preschool programs are designed to serve all students, including students with disabilities.
Every school district in Colorado, including DPS, is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education with an enrollment process for Universal Preschool Colorado, also known as (UPK).
UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day, state-funded, voluntary preschool.
ECE students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) are eligible for a minimum of half-day preschool funding. If your child has an IEP, you can complete the UPK application at any time following your SchoolChoice application. Contact Child Find with any questions.
Completion of the SchoolChoice enrollment process is separate from applying for UPK funding.
All ECE-3 and ECE-4 families will need to participate in DPS SchoolChoice to be matched with their preferred school for the 2024-25 school year. Students who turn 3 years old on or before Oct. 1 will need to apply for ECE-3. Students who turn 4 years old on or before Oct. 1 will need to apply for ECE-4. Due to limited space, enrollment is not guaranteed.
DPS will contact you when it is time to complete the UPK application to receive funding through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). No action is needed until DPS contacts you with information on that next step.
Please Note: If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you can complete the UPK application at any time following your SchoolChoice application. Contact Child Find with any questions.
View our FAQ about UPK here.
The DPS SchoolChoice Round 2 window opens on April 10 at 10 a.m.
Preschool is a tuition-based program. Tuition is determined on a sliding fee scale by the family household size and gross income and ranges from free to out-of-district cost.
UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day (minimum 15 hours per week) state-funded, voluntary preschool, provided they complete the UPK application. ECE students with an IEP are eligible for half-day preschool funding at a minimum.
Tuition rates are subject to change.
The DPS Enrollment Guides are a great resource for families to find the best school for their students! To request a translated version of part or all of this guide at no cost, please call our family helpline at 720-423-3054 or email translations@dpsk12.org with the language and sections needed. You can also view the enrollment zone guides and School Finder for detailed information about each DPS school.
Our Enrollment Information Packets are a shortened version of the Enrollment Guide, focusing less on each school and more on the SchoolChoice application process itself. These packets are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Somali, Amharic, Nepali, French and Mandarin. Email communications@dpsk12.org with questions.
Questions about SchoolChoice? Call 720-423-3493 or email SchoolChoice@dpsk12.org. (Hotline hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Questions about UPK? Call 303-866-5223 or email cdec_upkcolorado@state.co.us.
