Discover MNPS Pre-K Program Options
It is important to choose a program that is the best fit for your child’s needs. As a parent or guardian, you know what environment your child thrives in, and we have several options for you to apply for.
We recommend reviewing the MNPS Pre-K Guide on the MNPS website to guide you in selecting which schools you want to apply to. The following is an overview of the different Pre-K program options:
Early Learning Centers
Early Learning Centers (ELCs) are dedicated Pre-K learning hubs that focus on preparing students for kindergarten in an exclusive early learning setting. Students will have outdoor experiences, social and emotional learning activities, and structured play designed to support their academic growth.
MNPS has four Early Learning Centers:
School-Based Classrooms
School-based classrooms are located in elementary schools across the district. School-based classrooms offer the same Pre-K curriculum as ELCs in an elementary school setting.
Montessori
Montessori classes bring children together in multi-age groups, rather than classes comprised of just one age. Normally, they span three age levels. A child’s classroom may contain preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students. Each Montessori site follows a child-centered educational method developed by Maria Montessori.
MNPS has two Montessori sites: