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.
Fordham Early Learning Academy is the only MCPS school that offers before and after care through the Marion Afterschool Program (MAP). Enrollment in MAP will begin after the VPK lottery, later in the Spring.
The VPK Lottery Opens February 23, 2026
Lottery Steps, 2026-2027
IMPORTANT REMINDER: To be eligible for VPK in the Fall of 2025, children must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2026. The 2026-2027 VPK Lottery window will be open for applications from February 23, 2026- March 27, 2026, with placement opportunity notifications being sent by April 10, 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 February 23, 2026 or after: 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 for the 2026-2027 school year will go out by April 10, 2026. Offered seats must be accepted within ten days. Available seats after the ten days will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.