Frequently Asked Questions

Preschool Education Aid (PEA) is additional state aid provided to school districts for the purpose of implementing preschool programs. Over the next five years, the goal of PEA is to expand the availability of preschool classrooms for three and four-year-old residents of the Lawrence Township School District at no cost to parents.

There are no costs to attend the preschool program for any resident, age-eligible child in the Lawrence Township School District. Lunch is provided to students for purchase as it is with all of our K-8 students. Families who are eligible for free or reduced lunch will be provided meals consistent with their free/reduced application.

Lawrence Township  School District residents turning three or four years of age by October 1st are eligible for the preschool program.

Each preschool classroom has a maximum enrollment of 15 students. Each classroom has a combination of three and four-year-old students, inclusive of students with special needs. A mixed-delivery classroom model is the recommendation of the Department of Early Childhood and will continue as the District continues to expand its preschool classes. This means that classes will continue to be inclusive of students with special needs and a mix of three and four-year-old students.

After your child has been selected through the lottery, the registration process will require the same documentation as all other student registrations. 

The preschool program follows the same calendar as our elementary schools.  The daily preschool schedule is a 6 hour day which  includes opening group, small and large group activities,  make believe play block, outside time, snack and lunch time,  and rest/ quiet time.

There is no half day optional. 

Each family will need to formally accept their child’s seat by  completing the registration process by June 15, 2025.

Failure to do so will result in the loss of your child’s seat in the preschool program.

Directions on how to complete the registration process will be sent along with a formal letter of acceptance into the program.

No. Students who are enrolled in the preschool program as a three-year-old will be automatically enrolled as a four-year-old student in the following school year.

Yes.  We offer special consideration for children whose families are considered economically disadvantaged.

No. Each family will be asked for their preference regarding placement (i.e., community partnership or neighborhood school) on the preschool application.  Every effort will be made to accommodate those preferences with the least disruption to student education. However, the District will make all final placement decisions to balance class sizes and availability.

Preschool placement is determined based on several factors:

*Seat availability
*Sibling enrollment
*Preferred location indicated on the application
*Before/ after care needs
The District carefully considers each of these factors when assigning preschool placements to best meet the needs of families while maintaining program integrity.

Families who have completed the registration process and are officially enrolled in the preschool program will receive notification of their child’s school placement and homeroom teacher on or around August 15, 2025.

Notification regarding transportation eligibility will be communicated directly by the school and will also be posted in the student’s Genesis portal, which will be accessible in August.