Marion County Public Schools Voluntary Prekindergarten Program (VPK)
All Marion County Public Schools' 33 elementary schools offer the VPK program.
* Students that are enrolled in the VPK program attend school for the duration of the regular school hours and are not eligible to receive transportation.
VPK applications are now open for schools that have small waiting lists or available seats. The below schools are closed for application due to large waiting lists: Belleview, Dunnellon,, NH Jones, Eighth Street, Hammett Bowen, Madison Street, Marion Oaks, Romeo, Ross Prairie, Ward Highlands , and Saddlewood.
The following schools have open seats as of 05/12/2026: Anthony, Fessenden, Oakcrest, Wyomina, Fort McCoy, East Marion, Harbour View, Reddick-Collier, Shady Hill, South Ocala
Lottery Steps, 2026-2027
IMPORTANT REMINDER: To be eligible for VPK in the Fall of 2026, children must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2026.
In order to be considered for a seat in the VPK Lottery, the following steps must be completed:
- Step #1:Obtain your child’s Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the online Parent Portal located on the Early Learning Coalition website:https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com
- Step #2: Complete the New Student Online Enrollment (NSOE) process for Marion County Public Schools.Current MCPS Families: https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedumarioncofl/skyportloginNew to MCPS Families: https://skyward.iscorp.com/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsedumarioncofl/skyenroll.w
After completing the NSOE application, contact your base school’s guidance department, as they will process the application and assign your student with a Student ID#. This student ID# will be used to complete the lottery application.
- Step #3: Use your child’s Student ID # to complete the School Mint Application/VPK Lottery https://mcps.schoolmint.com/login
- Select one, two, or three school choices. NOTE: All three choices are not required.
- Upload your signed and dated Certificate of Eligibility (DIGITAL SIGNATURES ARE NOT ACCEPTED). All other information on the certificate will be completed by the school district. Applications will be rejected if the COE is not signed. Contact the Early Learning Department if you need support with printing/signing/scanning at [email protected]
- Step #4: Offerings -Offered seats must be accepted within ten days.