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Bradley International National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program

ECE UPK Application Opens January 15, 2025 ENDS February 18, 2025

The enrollment lottery for ECE-4 families will return to be a part of the DPS SchoolChoice process for our upcoming enrollment cycle starting Jan. 15, 2025. ECE-3 and ECE-4 families will first need to participate in DPS SchoolChoice to match with their preferred DPS school for the 2025-26 school year, then the UPK application will need to be completed by families after Round 1. 

 How to Apply for ECE  

DPS 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?

  1. 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?

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
As we gear up for the upcoming SchoolChoice season, schools that provide ECE should be aware that the SchoolChoice process for ECE families will be much different than in previous years. Along with other Colorado school districts, DPS is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education program by rolling out a new enrollment process for Universal Pre-K (UPK). This new change will provide additional funding opportunities for our ECE-providing schools and district partners, including charter schools and private ECE providers.

UPK ensures that every child in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten is eligible for half-day (15 hours per week) state-funded, voluntary preschool beginning in the 2025-26 school year. Three-year-olds with qualifying factors are eligible for at least part-time (10 hours per week) preschool programming. As an education provider, DPS must comply with the new UPK Program and follow state-level CDEC guidance in order to receive funding.

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)

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.

Please encourage ECE parents to apply as early as possible to avoid potential delays or limited opportunities as waitlists will not be utilized for UPK applications.
 Thank you for your patience as we gather more information to support you and your ECE families through this transition.
Sincerely,
The DPS Early Education Department