ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) will limit its prekindergarten programs to 4-year-old students starting in the 2025-2026 school year, aligning with a new policy from the Maryland State Board of Education and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future’s Accountability and Implementation Board, adopted in January 2025. The change ends three years of AACPS offering pre-K for both 3- and 4-year-olds, redirecting 3-year-old programs to private providers and community-based options.
Under the Blueprint, a comprehensive education reform plan enacted in 2021, the Maryland State Department of Education must use a mix of public and private providers to expand prekindergarten access statewide. Beginning next fall, AACPS will focus exclusively on 4-year-olds, prioritizing Tier I students—those from families meeting poverty guidelines, experiencing homelessness, or including certain multilingual learners and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Remaining seats will be offered to Tier II students, defined by higher income thresholds and similar special needs categories, while Tier III students will seek options outside AACPS.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell explained the shift, stating, “This change will allow us to better focus instruction and services to students who need it most and to do so at schools that are closer to the homes of those students.” He noted that state law mandates accommodating all eligible 4-year-old Tier I students, but some have faced long commutes in past years. The new approach aims to place these students in schools nearer their homes, reducing travel burdens. AACPS pre-K programs will remain free, with current 3-year-old slots converting to 4-year-old spaces for the upcoming year.
The Blueprint, detailed on the Maryland State Department of Education’s website, seeks to ensure universal pre-K access by leveraging diverse providers. For 3-year-olds, options will include private schools, community childcare centers, Head Start programs, and family childcare homes. AACPS’s pivot reflects this mixed-delivery model, aiming to enhance efficiency and equity in early education. Registration for the 2025-2026 pre-K programs opens May 6, 2025, giving families time to plan.
The policy aligns with broader state goals to prioritize disadvantaged students. According to a 2024 report from the National Institute for Early Education Research, pre-K access significantly boosts school readiness, particularly for low-income children. By focusing on 4-year-olds, AACPS aims to maximize resources for this group while private providers fill the gap for younger learners. Bedell emphasized that the transition repurposes existing resources, not staff cuts, ensuring continuity for educators.
Historically, AACPS has operated pre-K across multiple sites, serving hundreds of students annually. The shift narrows this scope but deepens its focus, potentially increasing enrollment capacity for 4-year-olds. Families of 3-year-olds will need to explore alternatives, though state oversight ensures these options meet quality standards. The change underscores Maryland’s ongoing effort to balance educational access with fiscal responsibility under the Blueprint framework.
