Welcome to Northampton Public Schools!
Florence, Leeds, and Northampton
Northampton Public Schools 2020-2021 School Calendar
See below for information on PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS at Bridge Street School and Leeds Elementary School.
- Current year: NEW FULL-DAY PUBLIC PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM opening January 2020 at Bridge Street School Applications available now! See details below.
- Sept 2020 NORTHAMPTON PUBLIC PRESCHOOL APPLICATIONS AND PROCESS -- starts in February 2020
- General NPS REGISTRATION PROCESS for Preschool and General Preschool-8 -- rolling, plus special days for Preschool Registration in the spring
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DO YOU HAVE questions about Preschool or Kindergarten itself?
Please call Erika Frank at the Early Childhood Center: (413) 587-1471 or Email: [email protected]. |
DO YOU HAVE questions about the Registration process?
Please call Jennifer Towler, Registrar: (413) 587-1328. Email [email protected] |
NEW 5-DAY FULL-DAY PUBLIC PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
NEW: As of December 2019, NPS is accepting applications for preschool-eligible children to attend
a grant-funded full-day integrated preschool classroom at BSS, opening in January 2020.
Click here for application*
This classroom will operate 5 days a week, unlike the regular 4-day preschool, and all children will attend full day.
Preference is given to low income families. There will be a lottery in early January to select who attends.
As in the other integrated preschools, there are 7 spots for children with IEPs and 8 spots for typically developing children.
Questions?* Contact Laura Frogameni, CPPI Grant Coordinator, at [email protected].
*Northampton Public Schools are on winter break from Dec 21, 2019 to Jan 1, 2020.
Please submit the application whenever you like, via paper mail or email; phone calls and emails will be returned on January 2, 2020.
NEW: As of December 2019, NPS is accepting applications for preschool-eligible children to attend
a grant-funded full-day integrated preschool classroom at BSS, opening in January 2020.
Click here for application*
This classroom will operate 5 days a week, unlike the regular 4-day preschool, and all children will attend full day.
Preference is given to low income families. There will be a lottery in early January to select who attends.
As in the other integrated preschools, there are 7 spots for children with IEPs and 8 spots for typically developing children.
Questions?* Contact Laura Frogameni, CPPI Grant Coordinator, at [email protected].
*Northampton Public Schools are on winter break from Dec 21, 2019 to Jan 1, 2020.
Please submit the application whenever you like, via paper mail or email; phone calls and emails will be returned on January 2, 2020.
Northampton Public Preschool -- APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply for my 3-4 year old child to attend public preschool?
Northampton Public Schools Preschool Applications available below
Basic information (details below in Program Overview.)
The Northampton public preschool is an integrated Preschool Program for 3 and 4-year old children, both typically developing and with special needs assessed by the district. It runs Monday through Thursday, in half-day sessions. There is no preschool on Friday. Children who are younger are more often placed in the morning; children who are older are more often placed in the afternoon. Four-year old children may be accepted into our full-day program if there is space.
There are two elementary schools with preschool programs: Bridge Street School and Leeds Elementary School.
Children who are districted by street address to attend Ryan Road or Leeds Elementary schools attend the Leeds preschool program; children who are districted to attend Jackson Street or Bridge Street schools attend the Bridge Street preschool program.
a) Application: the first step is to fill out a preschool application -- for Sept 2020 start, early applications will be due at the end of January (exact date TBA).
b) Acceptance/Confirmation: after we receive your child's application, there are two outcomes, either:
d) Registration: if your child is accepted into the preschool program, and you have confirmed the details, then the fourth step is to register your child. See General Registration information below
e) District Process: once you have registered, the district processes the paperwork and once completed, your elementary school will clear your child to attend
Please click to download the Preschool Application, Program Overview, or Brochure:
Preschool Application Form for 2020-2021 (next year program; starts in September 2020)
Preschool Program Overview
Preschool Brochure (English)
Preschool Brochure (Spanish)
Please read the basic program information below, and download forms from above. If you have any questions, please call the Early Childhood Center at 413-587-1471 or email [email protected].
The Northampton public preschool is an integrated Preschool Program for 3 and 4-year old children, both typically developing and with special needs assessed by the district. It runs Monday through Thursday, in half-day sessions. There is no preschool on Friday. Children who are younger are more often placed in the morning; children who are older are more often placed in the afternoon. Four-year old children may be accepted into our full-day program if there is space.
There are two elementary schools with preschool programs: Bridge Street School and Leeds Elementary School.
Children who are districted by street address to attend Ryan Road or Leeds Elementary schools attend the Leeds preschool program; children who are districted to attend Jackson Street or Bridge Street schools attend the Bridge Street preschool program.
a) Application: the first step is to fill out a preschool application -- for Sept 2020 start, early applications will be due at the end of January (exact date TBA).
b) Acceptance/Confirmation: after we receive your child's application, there are two outcomes, either:
- Acceptance - if there is space at the home school your child would go to, we will send you an acceptance letter with your child's placement into morning, afternoon, or full day
- Waitlist - if the preschool program at your home school is full, or if your child is not old enough yet, we will put you on our waitlist
d) Registration: if your child is accepted into the preschool program, and you have confirmed the details, then the fourth step is to register your child. See General Registration information below
e) District Process: once you have registered, the district processes the paperwork and once completed, your elementary school will clear your child to attend
Please click to download the Preschool Application, Program Overview, or Brochure:
Preschool Application Form for 2020-2021 (next year program; starts in September 2020)
Preschool Program Overview
Preschool Brochure (English)
Preschool Brochure (Spanish)
Please read the basic program information below, and download forms from above. If you have any questions, please call the Early Childhood Center at 413-587-1471 or email [email protected].
Northampton Public Preschool -- Program Overview
Days/Hours: M-T-W-TH 1/2 day program (limited full-day slots for 4 year old children)
Residency: Must be a resident of Northampton, Florence or Leeds
Locations: Leeds Elementary School and Bridge Street School; your street address determines which preschool your child would attend
Age: Children are only admitted to the program if they are 3 years or older
Fees: For children on an IEP, public preschool is free. For typically developing children, fees range from 0-$60/week 1/2 day program, based on family size and income documentation provided
Application Process
Admission & Placement
Student Registration Process
After being accepted into the preschool program, and parents have confirmed the seat, the child must be formally enrolled in the Northampton Public Schools. Registration forms and a list of required documents will be provided to parents and must be completed by June 15.
Curriculum & Assessment
The Northampton Public Schools Preschool program is accredited with the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Developmentally appropriate assessments given throughout the school year measure how students are growing in key curriculum standards.
Visiting our Program:
Parents and guardians can visit our classrooms, learn about our program and the enrollment process and meet our teachers. Visits can be scheduled by calling our office to make an appointment at 413-587-1471.
Days/Hours: M-T-W-TH 1/2 day program (limited full-day slots for 4 year old children)
Residency: Must be a resident of Northampton, Florence or Leeds
Locations: Leeds Elementary School and Bridge Street School; your street address determines which preschool your child would attend
Age: Children are only admitted to the program if they are 3 years or older
Fees: For children on an IEP, public preschool is free. For typically developing children, fees range from 0-$60/week 1/2 day program, based on family size and income documentation provided
Application Process
- Applications are required for all students. Please download forms from above, or call 413-587-1471 for us to mail you a copy.
- Early Lottery – applications due by early February 2020 for priority placement; placements made in mid-February
- 2nd Lottery – applications due by mid-May 2020; placements made in late May
- Applications received after the two deadlines will be considered on a roll-in basis
- Acceptance Letters with Confirmation Forms for parents to send back will be mailed after each lottery
- If there are more applicants than available spaces, applicants will be placed on a waiting list to be considered for future openings as they become available and will receive a Waitlist Letter
Admission & Placement
- NPS reserves the right to balance our classes based on age, gender, siblings, home school and high needs status (as defined by Department of Early Education and Care)
- Full day slots are determined by lottery
- Parents should indicate program preferences on the preschool application
Student Registration Process
After being accepted into the preschool program, and parents have confirmed the seat, the child must be formally enrolled in the Northampton Public Schools. Registration forms and a list of required documents will be provided to parents and must be completed by June 15.
Curriculum & Assessment
The Northampton Public Schools Preschool program is accredited with the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Developmentally appropriate assessments given throughout the school year measure how students are growing in key curriculum standards.
Visiting our Program:
Parents and guardians can visit our classrooms, learn about our program and the enrollment process and meet our teachers. Visits can be scheduled by calling our office to make an appointment at 413-587-1471.
Northampton Public Preschool -- REGISTRATION DAYS
Preschool registration days will be in May 2020 -- exact days TBD.
Click here for the list of documents to bring with you, and also the registration forms packet if you want to fill it out ahead of time.
Come to the registration at your home school, or come to whatever date works best -- registration is district-wide at all locations. Bring your child! There will be staffed activity tables for them.
When can my child start public preschool in our two sites in Northampton or Leeds?
Children who turn 3 on or before August 31, 2016 are eligible to start Kindergarten in September 2019.
Children who turn 3 on or before August 31, 2017 are eligible to start Kindergarten in September 2020.
September 2020 preschool registration dates in May 2020:
TBA, 3:30-6:00: Bridge Street School, 2 Parsons Street, Northampton
TBA, 2020, 3:30-6:00: Leeds Elementary School, 20 Florence Street, Leeds
Preschool registration days will be in May 2020 -- exact days TBD.
Click here for the list of documents to bring with you, and also the registration forms packet if you want to fill it out ahead of time.
Come to the registration at your home school, or come to whatever date works best -- registration is district-wide at all locations. Bring your child! There will be staffed activity tables for them.
When can my child start public preschool in our two sites in Northampton or Leeds?
Children who turn 3 on or before August 31, 2016 are eligible to start Kindergarten in September 2019.
Children who turn 3 on or before August 31, 2017 are eligible to start Kindergarten in September 2020.
September 2020 preschool registration dates in May 2020:
TBA, 3:30-6:00: Bridge Street School, 2 Parsons Street, Northampton
TBA, 2020, 3:30-6:00: Leeds Elementary School, 20 Florence Street, Leeds
How do I register my child to attend the Northampton Public Schools?
A. Preschool Registration forms and documents (same as Kindergarten) -- click HERE for complete information
Northampton Public Schools Preschool-Grade 8 Registrar: Jennifer Towler, 413-587-1328
Call Jennifer to make a registration appointment. Before you come to the appointment, you must collect the documents you need (list below). To make the registration appointment fast and easy, you can download and fill out the registration forms in advance.
1. FILL OUT FORMS BEFORE YOU COME!
To make the process smoother during the appointment, we recommend that you download and fill out the registration form before the appointment. Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten registration form.
2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO BRING -- details at northamptonschools.org/kindergarten/
Call Jennifer to make a registration appointment. Before you come to the appointment, you must collect the documents you need (list below). To make the registration appointment fast and easy, you can download and fill out the registration forms in advance.
1. FILL OUT FORMS BEFORE YOU COME!
To make the process smoother during the appointment, we recommend that you download and fill out the registration form before the appointment. Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten registration form.
2. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO BRING -- details at northamptonschools.org/kindergarten/
- A certified copy of the child’s Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency: for example, a recent mortgage statement or a signed lease/rental agreement.
- Proof of Occupancy: a utility bill showing the property address for any of the following: gas, oil, water & sewer, electricity, home phone (not cell) or cable
- Photo ID of Parent
- Health Records (3): 1) Complete Immunization Record, 2) MA Health Records Form from your child’s last physical exam, and 3) dental certificate signed by your child's dentist (this one can be take care of later, at their next visit).
- Current Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 documents, if applicable.
- Any Court Documents if appliable and that name your child: includes Name Change, Adoption, Proof of Physical Custody, Parenting Agreement, etc.