Preschool

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​​​Do you have a child who will be four years old by September 30, 2025? If so, your family could be eligible to participate in one of our free preschool programs.

Albemarle County Public Schools is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year preschool programs.

You can learn more about our programs and access our application and frequently asked questions fact sheet at our ACPS Preschool Application and Information page​

Albemarle County Public Schools proudly offers preschool programs at many of our elementary schools to children who meet the program requirements. Preschool is a full-day program following the ACPS school calendar and hours. Our unique programs provide children with purposeful learning experiences to prepare them for a successful transition to kindergarten while they grow to become enthusiastic, confident, and independent learners.​ 

For more information, please contact Lisa Molinaro, Preschool Coordinator, at lisamo@k12albemarle.org or 434-296-5820 ext. 13524.

ACPS Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) Program

VPI is a state and locally-funded early prevention program provided in collaboration with the Albemarle County Department of Social Services. The program is designed to only serve four-year-old children who may be at risk for developmental and/or educational challenges. This high-quality and engaging preschool experience provides children with skills that promote school and life success. Various child and family risk factors are considered through the application process, including low or limited income, homelessness, limited parent/guardian education, or an identified disability. Other risk factors may be considered, such as single-parent households, mental or physical health concerns, domestic violence, substance use, and abuse or neglect. Eligibility is based on an assessment of risk factors that are collected and identified through the application process. When possible, it is a priority to serve all eligible children in their neighborhood school, where they will attend kindergarten, with few exceptions. In addition to a high-quality preschool experience, children and their families are provided support and case management from a Family Coordinator through the Department of Social Services.

All ACPS preschool programs provide children with opportunities to:  

• Explore and create during many kinds of play
• Communicate and cooperate with other children and adults
• Learn and practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Learn pre-literacy and early numeracy skills that support them in developing kindergarten readiness

Our 12 VPI preschool classrooms are located across 8 of our 15 elementary schools: Agnor, Baker Butler, Greer, Mountain View, Red Hill, Scottsville, Stone Robinson, and Woodbrook. Each classroom enrolls a maximum of 18 students and is staffed with a full-time, certified, highly qualified teacher and teaching assistant.

If accepted, students living in the Stony Point district may attend the preschool program at Stone-Robinson Elementary. Transportation is provided to Stone-Robinson from one bus stop located at Wilton Farms. If that stop is inaccessible to families, they may provide their own transportation to Stone-Robinson.

For families who are eligible for enrollment but whose neighborhood school does not offer a VPI preschool program, enrollment may be offered at another school as space permits. In these cases, families would be responsible for providing transportation to/from school.

Family Engagement                                                 

Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Parental involvement is a key factor in children's success in school and, therefore, is required by all families whose child participates in our preschool programs.

ACDSS Family Coordinators serve as liaisons between the schools and families enrolled in the program. The Family Coordinator and the classroom teacher work closely with each family to support them in identifying needs and accessing community services and support

If accepted, ACPS preschool families commit to:

• Ensuring that children demonstrate on-time daily attendance as required by the state
• Consistently partnering with the family coordinator, classroom teacher, and school
• Attending parent-teacher-family coordinator conferences twice a year
• Participating in a minimum of  4 class field trips, school events, and /or family engagement events

Application Process

Families are encouraged to apply online at Go2Grow.org or submit a paper application by clicking on the ACPS Preschool Application and Information page​

PLEASE NOTE: Applying DOES NOT guarantee enrollment. Regrettably, not all families can be served; however, a waiting list is maintained for enrollment in the program.

For ACPS-VPI Preschool Program information, contact:

Lisa Molinaro, ACPS  Preschool Coordinator
lisamo@k12albemarle.org
Albemarle County Public Schools
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902​
(434) 296-5820​ Ext. 13524

Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECSE)

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program serves children who have been found eligible for special education with an identified disability between the ages 2-5 years old (as of Sept 30^th of the current school year), through a variety of models, including part-time playgroups, itinerant and consultative services within general education ACPS and community preschool classrooms, and self-contained and inclusive ECSE classrooms (full-time hours except shortened day Fridays). Eligible special education students’ services are outlined within Individual Education Programs (IEPs). The inclusive ECSE classrooms also serve 4-year-olds (as of Sept 30th of the current school year) who do not have a suspected or identified disability and serve as peer models. Students are placed in these seats by need-based and in-district priority. Transportation can be provided to/from ACPS program locations and residency addresses for students eligible for special education services and students without disabilities when accepted into the inclusive ECSE classroom at their districted school.

Our 8 ECSE classrooms are located across 7 of our 15 Elementary schools: Agnor Baker-Butler, Broadus Wood, Brownsville, Greer, Hollymead, Mountain View, Stone-Robinson, and Stony Point.

PreK Special Education Intake Team

All preschool referrals for consideration for special education eligibility/services (including referrals for speech concerns) should be directed to the Special Education Preschool Evaluation Team at (434)-296-5885, option #4.
 

Application Information for Students w/o Disabilities

Contact:

Head Start Program

CDI-Head Start is a federally funded child development program for three and four-year-olds. It provides services to promote children's academic, social, emotional, and physical development from eligible families. Head Start classes are located at the following Albemarle County elementary schools: Agnor, Crozet, and Greer.

Application Process

All questions regarding the Head Start program for three and four-year-old children should be directed to Mercy Kilel, Family Advocate. She can be reached at (540) 892-3069.

Families are encouraged to apply online at Go2Grow.org or submit a paper application. Please be sure to select Head Start (3-5 year olds)

Conta​ct:

Mercy Kilel, PFCE ERSEA Manager
Phone: (540) 892-3069
Email: mkilel@flanvahs.org

For additional information regarding ACPS Preschool, contact:

Lisa Molinaro, ACPS Preschool Coordinator
lisamo@k12albemarle.org​
Albemarle County Public Schools
401 McIntire Road​
Charlottesville, VA 22902​
(434) 296-5820​​​​ Ext. 13524