Salem Public Schools To Hold Lottery For Expanded Pre-K Seats

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools will use two lotteries this summer to fill the seats of its free expanded pre-kindergarten classrooms.

The district is using federal coronavirus relief funds to create the Salem Early Education Partnership Program and increase the educational opportunities for 4-year-olds in the city.

"The Salem Early Education Partnership Program is intended to expand access to and alignment of early childhood programs in Salem through partnerships between the Salem Public School district and participating early childhood centers in Salem licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care," Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike said in a letter to families on Monday.

Under the partnership, the district will expand the hours of its current classrooms at the Early Childhood Center, open four more classrooms and partner with four other existing classrooms across the city to align program quality and curriculum.

The district said the expansion is intended to improve and align program quality across the city, increase access to high-quality programs, particularly for low-income families, and ensure all families have knowledge of and access to early childhood resources.

"Research shows that access to high-quality early childhood programs not only prepares children for kindergarten but creates a strong foundation for long-term academic and personal success," Zrike's letter said. "Salem Public Schools is committed to creating greater access to full-day preschool seats for families seeking this type of programming for their child."

The seats will be filled by lottery through the completion of this form. Entrance into the lottery does not ensure a spot in the classroom. Anyone speaking a language other than English or Spanish can call an outreach specialist at 781-424-2482 or 781-771-8292 and the call will be returned from someone speaking that language.

The deadline for the July 19 lottery is July 15.

The deadline for the Aug. 6 lottery is Aug. 5.

Those who miss out on the lottery will be put on a waiting list.

Those with any questions can call the two phone numbers above or email earlyed@learn.salemk12.org.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Salem Public Schools To Add Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Programs