Preschool Registration Information

  • Use this page to guide you through the registration and enrollment process for preschool.

    Who is Eligible to Register for Preschool?

    Children turning 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023 are eligible to register for preschool for the 2023-2024 school year. Children receiving Special Education services are eligible to attend preschool at the age of 3. 

     

    In our preschool program, your child will develop the social, language, literacy, math and science skills needed for elementary school and beyond! To learn more about our preschool programs, curriculum, hours and registration, please visit our Early Childhood website. To learn more about resources available through our community partners, click here.

    Before You Register:

    • Identify three school choices. You may select any three schools offering preschool programming. Please refer to this chart for a list of available schools that offer preschool.

    • Consider the starting and ending times for each school, as well as your needs for before and after school care. Please note that transportation for preschool students is NOT provided by the district. Families are responsible for transporting children.


    • Gather documents needed for registration including:
      • Child’s birth certificate
      • Child's immunization records
      • Photo ID of parent/guardian registering the child
      • Proof of residency (copy of current utility bill, lease, or mortgage that is dated within the last thirty days)
         
        • If you are living with a Lowell resident, you will need to complete a third party affidavit. Please have a conversation with us if you are unable to produce sufficient documentation or if your housing is insecure. We abide by McKinney-Vento. Please use this link for more information on third party affidavits and McKinney-Vento.

      

    Registration Process 2023:

    • Registrations are processed Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, but registrations can be submitted online at any time.


    Links to online registration form

    There are three ways to submit the online registration form. 

    1. Registration via Computer: Clicking on this link will take you to the Aspen registration portal. You will need to create an account with Aspen before entering your child’s information. For help with creating an account, click here. Please note that registration is only compatible with a desktop or laptop computer and not available for a smartphone or tablet at this time.

    2. Registration In-Person: Come to the Family Resource Center, located at 151 Merrimack Street, to use a computer and fill out the form. The Family Resource Center is open Monday through Friday from 7am until 4pm each day. Please note that the last walk-in registration can be started at 3:15pm.

    3. Schedule an Appointment: You can schedule an appointment with a staff member that will assist you with your registration form. For this option, please call 978-674-4321 or email familyresourcecenter@lowell.k12.ma.us.

    Registration Video Tutorials

    Creating an Aspen Account (1st time users)

    Online Registration Instructions

     

    Families can also call 978-674-4321 to discuss any need for support or accommodation.

    Once you fill out the registration form, you will receive a follow-up email from the Family Resource Center informing you of the status of your registration. 

     

    Preschool Lottery

    • The Preschool lottery will occur during the first week of TBD. We will share the date when it has been finalized. 

    • All children pre-registering will be assigned a lottery number.

    • Pre-registered families will receive notification providing the student’s lottery number and their proposed school assignment.

    • Upon receiving written notification of preschool assignment, families MUST respond by selecting one of the following options:

      • Accept placement
      • Accept placement and remain on waitlist for preferred school
      • Reject placement and remain on waitlist for preferred school
      • Reject placement and seek alternative preschool programming

    Families MUST return the proposed assignment letter within 15 days to the Early Childhood Department indicating one of the selections above.

     

    Preschool Assignment

    • Upon receipt of your written selection, the Early Childhood Department will issue an official assignment letter.

    • If you have a question about your child’s placement, you may contact:
    • In August, you will receive notification from your child’s school with their teacher assignment.

     

    Frequently Asked Questions About Registration

    Have additional questions about the registration process or the preschool lottery? Click here for a list of frequently asked questions. 

     

    FRC Enrollment Clerk Contact Information