2026-27 CPS Pre-K Lottery Application Window Opens Monday, January 5
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Chelsea Public Schools
Pre-K Lottery Applications Open January 5
Applications for the 2026–27 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery will be available January 5–16, 2026, at the Parent Information Center. Eligible Chelsea families with children ages 3 or 4 may apply in person. The lottery will be held on January 26, 2026.
CHELSEA, Mass. – Chelsea Public Schools is pleased to announce that applications to enter the 2026-27 Pre-Kindergarten Lottery will be available at the Parent Information Center beginning on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Interested families will be able to sign up for the lottery in person at the Parent Information Center (99 Hawthorne Street) from January 5-16, 2026 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Families must bring their child’s birth certificate with them as part of the sign-up process.
A limited number of seats are available in CPS’ Pre-K programs at the John Silber Early Learning Center (ELC) for the 2026-27 school year. Pre-K programs include the half-day morning session, half-day afternoon session and the extended day program.
Please note the following eligibility information and additional details:
- Only one application per child is allowed
- The child must live in the City of Chelsea to be eligible for the lottery
- The child must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2026
- The child must be toilet trained by the start of school (September 2026)
- Families do not need to enter the lottery if their child currently attends the ELC
- Transportation is not provided for Pre-K programs
Once the application window opens, families have until 4:00 PM on Friday, January 16th to visit the Parent Information Center and apply. The lottery will be held on January 26th.
