Round 1 takes place 10:00am on January 15 – 4:00pm on February 18, 2025
Round 2 starts April 15, 2025
Universal Pre-K Program: ALL families applying to ECE have to also submit a Universal Pre-K Program application.
The DPS SchoolChoice window for the 2025-26 school year is 10:00am Jan. 15 through 4 p.m. Feb. 18, 2025. To prepare for SchoolChoice, families — particularly those with incoming ECE, kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students — should begin thinking about which schools might be of interest to them for next school year. Families can apply here.
DPS ECE SchoolChoice Round 1 opens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15 and closes at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. We strongly encourage families to submit their ECE application during Round 1, as this will offer them the best chance of obtaining a seat at their desired preschool program. In order to ensure families can submit their UPK and SchoolChoice applications, we recommend that they submit both by Feb. 3.
Applying for ECE-3?
- Visit dpsschoolchoice.my.site.com to complete the DPS SchoolChoice application and to select your school preferences.
- If your student does not have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), no further action is needed at this time.
- If your student has an IEP, go to upk.colorado.gov to complete the UPK application and to apply for funding.
Applying for ECE-4?
- Visit upk.colorado.gov to complete a UPK application.
- If your student does not have an IEP, make your school selections.
- If your student has an IEP, the application will guide you to submit your application without making school selections.
- Visit dpsschoolchoice.my.site.com to complete a DPS SchoolChoice application.
- Select “Universal Preschool Colorado” as your school selection. Applicants will not make school selections in the DPS SchoolChoice application. DPS will support applicants with an IEP in selecting a school at a later time.
What applications does the ECE student need?
ECE 3 – DPS Choice Application, no UPK application
ECE 3 with IEP – DPS Choice Application, yes UPK application
ECE 4 – DPS Choice Application, yes UPK application (choose up to 10 schools through UPK)
ECE 4 with IEP – DPS Choice Application, yes UPK application (no need to choose schools, you’ll be placed)
Families rank their students’ top school preferences in the SchoolChoice application. We then match students to schools based on those preferences, as well as school admission priorities and available space. The system, designed to maximize the number of students getting their most-preferred school, is very effective; last year, 84% of participants received their first-choice school.
Note: Incoming preschool students must participate in SchoolChoice on a yearly basis; due to space limitations, enrollment in a preschool program is not guaranteed. In most cases, if your student is currently in kindergarten through 11th grade and will be staying at their current school for 2025-26, you do not have to fill out a SchoolChoice application.
DPS believes all students should have the same access to quality schools, regardless of their background or where they live in Denver. That is what SchoolChoice is all about. Any DPS student who wants to attend a school other than their automatically assigned neighborhood school can take part in SchoolChoice during the dates listed above.
Families submit one SchoolChoice form per student, on which they rank their students’ top five school preferences. DPS then matches students to schools based on those preferences, as well as school admission priorities and available space.
You must apply for 3 yr ECE, 4 yr ECE, and Kindergarten each year. Once you are accepted at a school for Kindergarten, you will only need to complete the Online Registration each year. Bradley School Choice Priority
2024-25 Great Schools Enrollment Guides Now Available: The DPS Great Schools Enrollment Guides for the 2024-25 school year are now available online. These guides are the go-to resource for information on all DPS schools, including location, principal and contact information. The guides also feature districtwide information on how to enroll, transportation, programs and more. Browse the guides online in both English and Spanish DPS Enrollment Guides.
Find additional information from the SchoolChoice website at www.schoolchoice.dpsk12.org
SchoolChoice Application/Registration Timeline:
- Find a School: Learn more about schools in which you might be interested by looking online and touring various schools of interest. You can also attend the DPS Regional School Expo which will be determined at a later date.
- Apply: Fill out the SchoolChoice application, including ranking your top twelve schools, when it becomes available starting 10:00am January 15, 2025 for Round 1. Deadline to submit applications is 4:00 p.m. February 18, 2025 for Round 1. No exceptions. You’ll be notified mid-April with your placement.
- Round 2 will open, generally in April 15, 2025 and will go through August, 2025.
- Bradley School Choice Priority
Find your neighborhood school
Click here to determine your neighborhood school by entering your address at: School Finder
DPS Parent Portal
Follow this link for the DPS Parent Portal: https://myportal.dpsk12.org/
To setup at Parent Portal:
Create a DPS Parent Portal account at myportal.dpsk12.org/ (you will need one students’ ID number which is on any progress report or contact your school’s office)
* Enter all information: use the email address that DPS has on file for you and create a password. (please keep user name and password for future use).
* You will receive an immediate email confirming your email address; confirm email.
* Wait about 15 minutes for welcome email which means your account has been created.
* Log in and see what the Parent Portal has to offer!
