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Pre-School Program

The 2025-2026 Preschool lottery application is open. 

Preschool Information or questions contact: Elizabeth Fidalgo 508-996-3926  elizabethfidalgo@dartmouthschools.org

Our office will inform you of your student's acceptance into the Preschool program. 

Please do not register your student for our preschool program until you have been accepted into the program.

Preschool Program
Andrew B. Cushman School
George H. Potter School

WHAT IS AN INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL?
The Dartmouth Public School’s Preschool Program brings together children who have special needs with those who exhibit developmentally appropriate skills and can serve as peer partners. Each child in the group is a unique individual.  Together the children learn, grow, play and form friendships.  Our preschool classrooms utilize research-based curriculum for all academic areas.  Our programs emphasize high-quality, developmentally appropriate activities which address literacy, math, social, language, fine and gross motor skills.

HOURS
Our three-year-old program are half day sessions.  The morning session is from 9:00am - 11:25am and the afternoon session is from 1:00pm - 3:25pm.  Our four-year-old program are full day sessions and are from 9:05am - 3:05pm.

TRANSPORTATION:
Parents of peer partners are responsible for the transportation of their child to and from school.

TUITION:
The tuition for the three-year-old half days is $2500 for the school year and is collected over a 10-month period.  The tuition for the four-year-old full day is $6000 for the school year and is collected over a 10-month period. The fee will be due and payable the first week of each month from September 2025 to June 2026. You may also pay online at the Town of Dartmouth website using this link Preschool Tuition Payment

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications for new school years are accepted from early February to mid-March every year. To complete the application, please print and complete the Preschool Application or stop by our registration office located in our Administrative Offices at 8 Bush Street. Applications can be emailed to preschool@dartmouthschools.org. 

Dartmouth Public School District utilizes the lottery system when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats. Please note applications must be postmarked or emailed on or before the mid-March date to be considered for the lottery. Parents will be notified in late March of their child's acceptance into our preschool program. Students placed on a previous year’s waiting list are still required to apply each year. Placement on a previous year’s waiting list does not affect the following year’s lottery.

In order to apply for our program:

  • Applicants must be three years old prior to September 1
  • Applicants must be toilet trained prior to the start of school
  • Students must reside in the Town of Dartmouth
  • Guardian/s must provide transportation
  • Priority will be given to children who will be 4 years old prior to September 1

SCREENING PROCESS:
Once your application is completed, we will contact you to schedule your child for a screening session in May. Our Preschool screening is a brief measure of developmental readiness, fine motor, and speech/language skills.  If through the screening process your child shows a possible delay in either speech-language, occupational therapy or preschool readiness, we may contact you to do a further evaluation in those areas.  This will not affect your child’s ability to access a preschool slot through the lottery process.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SLOTS
In accordance with 603 CMR 28.04(1), students who may be eligible for preschool special education services may be referred for an evaluation by a parent/guardian, an Early Intervention provider, or any person in a caregiving or professional position concerned with the student's development. The Dartmouth Public School System works in collaboration with Early Intervention service providers to ensure a smooth transition from EI to public school services. Evaluations are completed by Dartmouth to determine if placement in our preschool program is required to receive these services. Sometimes, as a result of the screening process, further evaluations are recommended by the staff to determine if a child has a delay in one or more areas.  If so, this child might also be considered for a special education slot.