EWSD Prekindergarten Options

Universal Pre-K/Act 166 Funding


  • Act 166 funding covers 10 hours/week of pre-K tuition at qualified programs throughout our community. Please visit our Act 166 FAQs page for additional information.

    Eligible students are at least 3 years old on September 1st.

    Registration is open and ongoing.

  • 2021-2022 School Year

    • Students with birth dates on/before September 1, 2018 are eligible to register for the 2021-2022 school year
    • Visit our Act 166 Registration page for more information
    • The district encourages families to register for Act 166 funding by July 15th
    • Act 166 fund distribution for the 2021-2022 school year is pro-rated based on a September 1, 2021 start date
    • If you receive Act 166 funding through EWSD during the 2020-2021 school year, you do not need to re-register for the 2021-2022 school year

    2020-2021 School Year

    • Students with birth dates on/before September 1, 2017 are eligible to register for the 2020-2021 school year
    • Visit our Act 166 Registration page for more information
    • Act 166 fund distribution for the 2020-2021 school year is pro-rated based on a September 8, 2020 start date

Prekindergarten at EWSD Elementary Schools

  • The Essex Westford School District offers school-based prekindergarten programs at Essex Elementary School, Hiawatha Elementary School, Summit Street School, and Westford School.

    Eligible students are at least 3 years old on September 1st.

    Space is limited in our school-based programs, and placement is determined by a lottery draw each year.

  • 2021-2022 School Year

    • The window for requesting a 2021-2022 pre-K slot is now closed
    • A lottery drawing will be held in March 2021 to determine placement
    • The district will respond to all requests in April 2021; the district will not respond to any requests prior to April 2021
    • For additional information, or to request a spot on the 2021-2022 pre-K registration waiting list, please contact Johanna at jsimmons@ewsd.org

  • 2020-2021 School Year

    • The window for requesting a 2020-2021 pre-K slot is closed
    • For additional information, or to request a spot on the 2020-2021 pre-K registration waiting list, please contact Johanna at jsimmons@ewsd.org