PreSchool
Preschool (Age 3-5)
High-quality preschool gives young children an important foundation for learning, building relationships, developing language and social-emotional skills, and becoming confident, curious learners. Somerville Public Schools offers three free preschool programs to help families access a strong start to their child’s educational journey.
Looking ahead to 2027?
Somerville Public Schools will open its 2027-28 enrollment portal in early January. We highly encourage families to attend a 60-minute information session either in-person or virtual to learn more about Preschool enrollment:
PreSchool Enrollment Information Sessions
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
9:00am (virtual via Zoom, link to come)
5:30pm (East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St)
Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment
Free Pre-Kindergarten is offered at all SPS elementary schools except Benjamin Brown School.
For the Fall 2026 school year, Children must be 4 years old by August 31, 2026, to be eligible for enrollment in Somerville Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten programs. Families are strongly encouraged to apply during the priority enrollment period, as submitting an application by February 13 increases the likelihood of receiving a preferred school assignment. Enrollment assistance is available online, by phone, and in person through the Enrollment Office. Multilingual staff are available to support families, and appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to call ahead to arrange an appointment.
Sonrisa Bilingual Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment
The Sonrisa bilingual Pre-Kindergarten program, located at East Somerville Community School, serves children who speak Spanish at home. The program provides instruction through a dual-language model, with approximately 80% of instruction delivered in Spanish and 20% in English, while following the same curriculum used in all Somerville Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Children are eligible to enroll if they are 4 years old by August 31. To enroll, follow the normal Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment process and request Sonrisa.
Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) Enrollment
The Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) is an inclusive, multisensory preschool program for children ages 3–5 who have been identified as needing specially designed instruction due to a disability. The program also includes community peer partners, fostering an inclusive learning environment that supports the growth and development of all students. ECIP is located at the Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center.
Children being considered as Peer Partners in ECIP must be at least 3 years old, be toilet trained, and participate in an age-appropriate developmental screening. When the number of eligible applicants exceeds available spaces, peer partners are selected through a blind lottery process.
Registration for 2026–2027 has closed.
Enrollment Quick Links
Families preparing to enroll in Somerville Public Schools will find these documents useful, including a summary of required information and records.
- Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment FAQ
- Important Documents for Enrollment
- Proof of Residency
- Required Health Records
- English Language Assessment (by appointment if needed)
- Individualized Education Plan forms (if needed)
Things to Consider
School Tours. Visit our SPS School Tours page for information on how you can get an inside glimpse of our school facilities.
After-School. When enrolling your child with SPS, be sure to ask about after-school programs for young children. These opportunities can fill up quickly, so we encourage families to review these options well before school begins.
