Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK) Information for Early Childhood Education (ECE) Students

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.

Colorado Universal Preschool

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.

2025-26 ECE Application Process

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.

Steps to Apply:

1. Submit a SchoolChoice application. Families applying for either ECE-3 or ECE-4 can submit an application any time before Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.
   • Note: If you already submitted a UPK application, or already received a school assignment through UPK, you still must submit a SchoolChoice application to apply for tuition assistance and finalize your placement.
2. Wait to be offered a seat at a school. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis within school admission priorities. If the school has available space, your student will be offered a seat. If a waitlist exists, your student will be added to the list in date and time order within your given priority.
3. If you’re applying for ECE-4, submit a UPK application once you have accepted a seat at a school. This application is required to receive funding through the Colorado Universal Preschool program.

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.

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.