harry lee cole PreSchool
welcome to The Cole preschool!
The Cole School Integrated Preschool is an inclusive program with a 3 year old class and a 4 year old class. Details about our program are explained in the information below, as well as at our family information session that we host each fall. Continue to check back here for the latest dates of our information session, lottery, and registration process.
Registration for our 2025-26 class will be open for two weeks between 11/4 - 11/15. There is an Information Night at Cole School on 11/4 at 6:00pm. Applications are linked at the bottom of this webpage and are accepted by US Mail or by hand at Cole School Office between 9:00-2:00pm.
Our 2024-25 class is full. To be placed on our waitlist, email the Preschool Coordinator with your child's name and birthdate.
We hope this website helps answer your questions and is easy to navigate. All other enquiries please contact our Preschool Coordinator Celia Cole by email at ccole@boxfordschools.org.
ENROLLMENT AND LOTTERY TIMELINE
Child's 3rd Birthday Registration Period School Year for Preschool Class
Sept. 2, 2023 - Sept. 1, 2024 Closed 2024-25
Sept. 2, 2024 - Sept. 1, 2025 November 4 - November 15, 2024 2025-26
Sept. 2, 2025 - Sept. 1, 2026 Fall of 2025 2026-27
Sept. 2, 2026 - Sept. 1, 2027 Fall of 2026 2027-28
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ENROLLING IN OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
For more in depth information about our program please refer to our handbook linked below. An Open House for parents of children who would enroll in our program is held each fall to give an overview of our preschool and explain the lottery process. We also conduct preschool screenings, dates linked below, as part of our Child Find obligation.
If you are moving to Boxford with a child who has a disability or you suspect your child has a disability and requires services, please contact Carolyn Wilson, Early Childhood Coordinator at cwilson@boxfordschools.org for information on our preschool.
When do I sign my child up for the 3-Year-Old Classroom (PreK3)? The fall before your child’s first preschool year is when you would apply to be entered into the lottery for our program. Please refer to the above Enrollment & Lottery Timeline for specific dates.
Are there openings for the 4-Year-Old Classroom (PreK4)? No, the students in our current PreK3 move up to the PreK4 which creates a full class. If you are moving to town and your child has an IEP please contact Carolyn Wilson, Early Childhood Coordinator at cwilson@boxfordschools.org.
Is there a waitlist? Yes. If you missed the lottery, did not get your first choice, or moved into the district after our lottery, you can fill out an application and request to be placed on our waitlist. The waitlist will carry over for the following school year when children are of age for the 4-Year-Old Class. If space becomes available the Preschool Coordinator will reach out to the first person on the waitlist until the space is filled.
When is the lottery? There is a 2 week window each fall when applications are accepted along with a $50 registration fee, child's birth certificate, and proof of residence. Immediately after the application window is closed a lottery is held to fairly assign applicants a lottery number. For a more in depth description please refer to our handbook.
Does my child need to be toilet trained? No child will be turned away from our program if they are not toilet trained. We highly encourage parents to work on toilet training with their child the summer before they enter preschool if they are not yet independently using the bathroom. Most of the children in our program are toilet trained. Students in pull-ups or diapers must be sent to school with ones that have sticky tabs on the side for easy changes. Pull-ups that need to be slid up and down will not be used.
Do you have a full time program? Incoming 3 year olds can apply for either our 2 or 3 day program (PreK3). Programs cannot be combined. The PreK3 runs from 9-12. PreK3 students can opt in to attend Lunch Bunch from 12-1 on their program days. Our 4 year olds attend a 3 day program (PreK4) that runs from 9-1. They will eat lunch during their school day in the classroom. If there is space available in PreK4, the Preschool Coordinator will offer a 4th day. There is extended day childcare available only for PreK4 students until 3:00.
There is no aftercare in our building for preschoolers.