The Worcester Public Schools (WPS) in January will host open houses for families interested in applying their children for preschool (pre-K), dual language programs, and magnet elementary schools, and will also provide online and in-person information sessions about the overall registration process for pre-K through grade 12.
The application and registration timeline for the 2026-27 school year is as follows:
January 8-26: Open houses will be held for schools with pre-K, dual language, and/or a magnet/citywide lottery admission application process
Schools with pre-K dual language programs will hold open houses*
January 16: Online enrollment information session
January 23: In-person enrollment information session
January 26: Enrollment for grades K-12 opens for the 2026-27 school year
February 9-May 15: Application form is open for pre-K and kindergarten programs with a lottery admissions process, including Worcester Dual Language Magnet, Jacob Hiatt Magnet, and Worcester Arts Magnet schools
February 9-April 17: Application form is open for School Choice and Voluntary Transfers
For detailed information, please visit worcesterschools.org/enrollment or call the WPS James Garvey Parent Information Center at 508-799-3194. Caregivers can make registration appointments or get their questions answered at the Parent Information Center, which is located at 768 Main Street, Worcester. Please call ahead for an appointment. The center is open from 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
Enrollment Information Sessions
The WPS Parent Information Center will provide online and in-person information sessions about the overall registration process for pre-K through grade 12 as follows:
Friday, January 16, 12:00-2:00 PM: Online Enrollment Information Session
Friday, January 23, 12:00-2:00 PM: Online Enrollment Information Session
Language translations in Spanish and Portuguese will be available for these drop-in sessions.
Pre-K Open Houses
Schools with pre-K programs will hold open houses for families of prospective students prior to the application form opening on February 9. The full list of January pre-K open houses is now available. Please note that each school will also hold an open house in June after the registration process is complete.
Dual Language Open Houses
Families interested in the pre-K or kindergarten dual language programs are encouraged to attend an open house in January.
The Worcester Dual Language Magnet School is open to students citywide and hosts a full-day pre-K and kindergarten two-way dual language program in English and Spanish. The open house is scheduled for January 22 from 9:00-10:30 AM. Students are admitted through a lottery admissions process; the application form will be open from February 9-May 15.
Woodland Academy hosts a one-way kindergarten dual language program in English and Spanish. Woodland Academy is open to students based on their residential address; it is not a citywide admission school. The open house is scheduled for January 21 from 12:00-1:00 PM.
Open Houses for Jacob Hiatt Magnet, Worcester Arts Magnet Schools
The Jacob Hiatt Magnet and Worcester Arts Magnet elementary schools, which admit students* through a lottery admissions process, will host kindergarten open houses as follows:
Worcester Arts Magnet, 315 St. Nichols Ave., January 21, 10:00-11:00 AM
Jacob Hiatt, 772 Main Street, January 22, 9:00-10:30 AM