The Wharton Borough Public Schools Preschool Lottery follows applicable New Jersey requirements.
The Lottery has three tiers for Preschool.
This policy applies only to Preschool.
Tier ONE includes documented low income families who qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch, Head Start eligible students, homeless or displaced students, and incoming Pre K students who have siblings already enrolled in the Pre K program.
Tier TWO includes students who have a sibling enrolled in the Wharton Borough School District who is not in Pre K.
Tier THREE includes all other eligible resident students.
Waitlist Process
If the number of applicants exceeds available seats in any tier, a random lottery determines the ranking within that tier. All Tier One applicants are placed before Tier Two applicants. All Tier Two applicants are placed before Tier Three applicants. Waitlists are maintained by tier and lottery order.
Pre K 3 to Pre K 4 Rollover
Students enrolled in the Pre K 3 program do not re enter the lottery for Pre K 4. Students roll over into the four year old program if families complete annual re registration requirements by the stated deadline. Re-registration includes proof of residency and required health documentation. Families who miss the deadline forfeit the rollover seat.
Students with Disabilities
Students with Individualized Education Programs are placed through the Child Study Team based on program needs. These placements are outside of and excluded from the Preschool lottery process.
All applications are due by March 6, 2026. The lottery will take place on March 11, 2026. Families will be notified of lottery outcomes and waitlist status after the lottery is completed. Students who are accepted receive registration information and follow up communication from the district.