Worcester Schools Adds More Spots For Preschoolers, Launches New Special Education Program

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester Public Schools expanded its full-day preschool spots and launched a new special education program, the school district announced earlier this month.

WPS will create 75 more spots for full-time preschool students. As part of the expansion, the school system will also launch a targeted preschool special education support program for 108 preschool-age students.

“Full-day preschool and targeted special education support ensure children enter kindergarten prepared and ready to learn,” Superintendent Brian E. Allen said. “We believe this expansion will make a significant difference in creating positive educational outcomes in elementary school.”

Expanded Full-day Openings

Superintendent Allen said it’s clear families want expanded full-day preschool, and the district is working to expand the option.

The school district said it created more full-day openings by reassigning half-day program seats. That’s because there are often vacancies in half-day preschool while full-day programs are always at capacity.

In the next school year, WPS will have 12 schools with full-day preschools, with five of those schools recently joining the list: McGrath, Vernon Hill, Gates Lane, and Norrback Avenue elementary schools, and Worcester Technical High School. City View, Clark Street, Goddard, Jacob Hiatt, and Nelson Place elementary schools, along with South High Community School, will continue providing full-day Pre-K as they have in the past.

Worcester Dual Language Magnet School also offers a two-way English-Spanish full-day program.

Students are selected for Pre-K through a randomized lottery process every year. The application for next year, the 2026-27 school year, opened on Feb. 9.

Communication And Readiness Enhancement

Communication and Readiness Enhancement, the new targeted preschool special education program, will be offered to 108 preschool-age children who are not enrolled in Pre-K but were eligible for special education services for needs around speech and language, motor skills and school readiness delays.

WPS said that families will need to be referred to CARE by the Special Education Department following an early childhood assessment and the issuance of an Individualized Education Plan.

While at CARE, children will receive individualized instruction in small groups, in addition to services such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

Preschool-aged children in the city can also attend Worcester Head Start, operated by the school district, if they meet federal income guidelines after completing an application process.

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