Early Learning

Believe in your shelf
Celebrate Literacy Week January 22-26


Voluntary Prekindergarten Lottery Application Process 2024-2025

Before and aftercare will be available to students at Fordham Early Learning Academy again for the 2024-2025 school year. Programming at this site will include VPK students. Program fees and registration information will be provided by Marion Afterschool Programs (MAP).

This will be the only public school location in Marion County offering MAP to VPK students for the 2024-2025 school year.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: To be eligible for VPK in the Fall of 2024, children must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2024.

The 2024-2025 VPK Lottery window will be open for applications from February 26, 2024- March 29, 2024, with placement opportunity notifications being sent on Friday, April 12.

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 ParentPortal located on the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County's website: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/Account/Login Please allow 12-14 business days for the Certificate of Eligibility to be processed.
  • Step #3: Use your child’s Student ID # to complete the School Choice Application/VPK Lottery: https://applytomarionschools.com/login First time users: create an account on the right side of the page. This is different than your NSOE account from Step #2.
    • 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.
  • Step #4: Offered seats must be accepted within ten days. Available seats after this point will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.