If you did not submit an ECE-3 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice or an ECE-4 UPK application by March 5 for the 2025-26 school year, you can submit your application during Round 2 of SchoolChoice beginning April 8.
Important Update for 2025-26
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
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.
Colorado Universal Preschool
Every school district in Colorado, including DPS, works with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education with an enrollment process for Colorado Universal Preschool, also known as Universal Pre-K (UPK).
UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, is eligible for half-day, state-funded, voluntary preschool.
Children who are considered low income (defined as household income at or below the 270% of federal poverty guidelines) and have qualifying factors may be eligible for additional hours.
To apply for this funding, please follow the steps outlined below.
2025-26 ECE Application Process
For the 2025-26 school year, children who turn 3 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-3. Children who turn 4 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-4.
If you did not submit an ECE-3 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice or an ECE-4 UPK application before March 6, you can submit your application during Round 2 of SchoolChoice.
Steps to Apply:
Submit a SchoolChoice application once Round 2 opens at 10 a.m. on April 8. Families applying for either ECE-3 or ECE-4 can submit an application at that time.
Wait to be offered a seat at a school. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis within school admission priorities. If the school has available space, your student will be offered a seat. If a waitlist exists, your student will be added to the list in date and time order within your given priority.
If you're applying for ECE-4, submit a UPK application once you have accepted a seat at a school. This application is required to receive funding through the Colorado Universal Preschool program.
Important note for students with IEPs: Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the DPS Department of Special Education can submit the UPK application at any time to apply for funding. If you're applying for ECE-4 and your student has an IEP, the UPK application will ask you to submit your application without making school selections. This is expected, and you should submit the application anyway. Once you've submitted the UPK application, you should also complete the ECE4 Parent Preference Survey to provide input regarding the location determination process.
ECE Tuition
Preschool is a tuition-based program. Denver Public Schools offers tuition assistance credits through the Denver Preschool Program (DPP), Colorado Universal Preschool and other funding sources. Your child’s tuition rate depends on your household size and income. Families are automatically considered for tuition credits when they fill out the application and supply all the correct documentation. If parents don’t provide all documentation, they will be assessed the full tuition rate.
Children are only eligible for tuition reductions if:
They are Denver residents. Non-Denver residents must pay full tuition.
Parents fill out the preschool application and all required documentation.
DPP is an independent, non-profit organization that administers tuition credits made available through Referendum 1A, passed by voters in 2006. If your child is 4 years old or in their last year before kindergarten, they are eligible for DPP tuition credits. Students are only eligible for one year of DPP tuition credit total. These credits are built into our approved tuition levels.
When a child applies to DPS, they are also applying for DPP tuition credits and do not need to fill out another application.
If you have any questions, please call Tuition Billing at 720-423-3698.
Contact Information
For more information on preschool providers in Denver or for support with your UPK application, contact the Denver Preschool Program by emailing denverupk@dpp.org or calling 720-221-8500.
If you have questions about the statewide UPK Program, call 303-866-5223 or email universalpreschool@state.co.us.
If you have questions about the DPS SchoolChoice application, contact the Choice Hotline at 720-423-3493 or email schoolchoice@dpsk12.org.