Getting started.
Who this helps
For 2026-27, children who would be four years old by October 15, 2026 could enter the lottery.
How to get started
For the 2026-27 lottery, families were to be notified by April 10, 2026 if their child had a place. Children not selected in the first round were to be waitlisted.
Submit the lottery application.
When the lottery is open, open the South Portland Schools PreK Lottery notice and select “Click here for the lottery application.”
Attend the screening.
Attend the screening appointment arranged by South Portland Schools. For 2026-27, screenings were scheduled for late March, before the lottery.
Confirm your seat.
If offered a place, confirm your intent to enroll and complete the registration paperwork.
How they can help.
South Portland School Department runs the program. For 2026-27, students were scheduled for screening appointments before the lottery.
- Public pre-K classes at Kaler and Dyer Elementary Schools
- Bus transportation
- Screening appointments before the lottery
- A waitlist for children not selected in the first round
A few questions before you go.
Check how the service works, when it is available, and any costs. Ask about communication or accessibility support if you need it.
- Is a place still available for my child?
- What should my child expect at screening?
- When does the next lottery open?
- What paperwork will I need if my child gets a place?