PreSchool
Preschool Programs (Ages 3–5)
Somerville Public Schools offers three free preschool programs:
- Pre-Kindergarten (PK)
Free preschool for children age 4 by August 31. - Sonrisa
Bilingual preschool for Spanish heritage speakers. - Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP)
Inclusive preschool program for children ages 3–5 with identified disabilities and community peer partners.
Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment
Free Pre-Kindergarten is offered at all SPS elementary schools except Benjamin Brown School.
Virtual Enrollment Information Sessions for Pre-Kindergarten are upcoming. Join us on the following date(s):
November 10, 2026 | 9:00 – 10:00 am via Zoom Register here
November 10, 2026 | 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.
Enrollment Portal Opened: January 2, 2026.
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.
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.
Enrollment Checklist
Families preparing to enroll in Somerville Public Schools will need to provide required information and documentation. These items include:
Proof of Residency
Required Health Records
English Language Assessment (by appointment if needed)
Individualized Education Plan forms (if needed)
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.
Watch a video to learn more about the Sonrisa program.
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.