Orange Schools 2026-27 Preschool Lottery Accepting Names
The Orange Public Schools is now accepting names for the “Lottery” for our 2026–2027 Preschool Program. Our Special Education/General Education integrated Preschool Program is looking for three and four-year-old children to enroll as community peers. Our Preschool Program enriches each child’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, intellectual, and creative abilities through early academic and social experiences. It is designed to prepare the children for early success and school readiness.
Community peer children are selected through the “Lottery.” The total tuition cost for the community peers will be $3,500. This fee-based Preschool Program is held 5 days/week, for 3 hours/day. No transportation is provided for general education community peers.
The Preschool Program follows the district’s school year calendar: the AM class is held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the PM class is held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each classroom will be a blend of three and four-year-old children. Class sizes are limited to a total of 12 students per class, which includes our students requiring special education services. By law, students with special needs identified with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) are placed in the Preschool Program by the Dept. of Special Services through the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) process.
To participate in the lottery, your child must be 3 years old but not older than 4 years old by September 1, 2026. All children must be toilet-trained and bona fide residents of Orange.
The lottery is conducted in two stages. One: All names are ‘picked out of a hat’ by age group for the “limited number of available spaces,” with the remaining names drawn and placed on a waiting list. Two: the second drawing decides if your child will attend the AM or PM class to balance each classroom with 3 and 4-year-old children.
If you wish to have your child participate in the Lottery, please call the Special Services Dept. (203-891-8023) between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to place your child on the list. We will be accepting names for the lottery up until 4:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026. Parents will be mailed a letter of the lottery results by February 9, 2026.
Your non-refundable tuition deposit of $180 will be due Monday, February 23rd, to reserve the space for your child. Your deposit will be deducted from the total cost of tuition, and the remaining tuition due will be paid in 8 equal payments of $415 from October through May.
Registration paperwork needs to be completed by March 30th, 2026. Any further questions, call the Special Services Dept. (203-891-8023) at the Orange Board of Education.
