If you did not submit an ECE-3 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice or an ECE-4 UPK application by March 5 for the 2025-26 school year, you can submit your application during Round 2 of SchoolChoice.
Every school district in Colorado, including DPS, works with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to continue expanding its Early Childhood Education with an enrollment process for Colorado Universal Preschool, also known as Universal Pre-K (UPK).
UPK ensures that every child, in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, can receive up to 15 hours per week of free, state-funded preschool. Children who are considered low income (defined as household income at or below the 270% of federal poverty guidelines) and have qualifying factors may be eligible for additional hours.
To apply for this funding, please follow the steps outlined below.
For the 2025-26 school year, children who turn 3 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-3. Children who turn 4 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2025 are eligible for ECE-4.
If you did not submit an ECE-3 application during Round 1 of SchoolChoice or an ECE-4 UPK application before March 6, you can submit your application during Round 2 of SchoolChoice.
Important note for students with IEPs: Families of students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the DPS Department of Special Education who are applying for ECE-3 or ECE-4 should contact Enrollment Services at 720-423-3493 or SchoolChoice@dpsk12.org for more information and next steps.
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:
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.