GSRP enrollment opens April 25
Dearborn Public Schools’ Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) will begin distributing applications on Friday, April 25 for the 2025-26 school year.
Dearborn Public Schools is strongly encouraging all families who live in the district and have a child the right age to apply for the free preschool program. State officials are working to expand GSRP to all families over the next few years, which means more flexibility for schools when admitting students. Most district families now qualify.
To be eligible, children need to turn four years old by Dec. 1, 2025. Preference will be given to students who will be four by Sept. 1, 2025 because those students will qualify for kindergarten the following year. However, if space is available, the program also will accept students with birthdays between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1.
Applications will be available for pickup on Friday, April 25, at the following Dearborn Public Schools – Becker, Cotter, DuVall, Henry Ford Elementary, Long, Lowrey, McCollough, McDonald, Oakman, River Oaks, Salina Elementary, Snow, Whitmore Bolles and William Ford. Families who would like to register their child that day will need to bring proof of residency, the parent’s driver’s license, a 2024 tax return and W2, DTE bill, child’s birth certificate, and child’s immunization records.
After April 25, applications can be picked up at Cotter Early Childhood Center, 13020 Osborn St., Dearborn. Appointments can also be made by calling the school office at 313-827-6150. Visit the Cotter School webpage to learn more.
GSRP is a state-sponsored preschool program. The district’s GSRP will take applications for all students who are eligible next year based solely on their age. Traditionally, GSRP targeted families with certain factors that put their child at a higher risk for not succeeding in school. Among other things, these risk factors include family income, children who speak a language other than English at home, and children who have one or more parents with low educational attainment. These families will still receive priority acceptance into GSRP.
However, as Michigan moves toward free preschool for all children, GSRP is expanding, and Dearborn Public Schools has been able to accept a much wider range of students. Most district families will qualify for the program.
To apply, students must live with a parent or legal guardian within the Dearborn Public School District.
Dearborn has 608 slots for GSRP students at 16 locations, including Cotter, Becker, DuVall, William Ford, Henry Ford, Geer Park, Long, Lowrey, McCollough, McDonald, Oakman, River Oaks, Salina Elementary, Salina Intermediate, Snow, and Whitmore-Bolles schools.
GSRP classes are generally 16 students with two adults. In Dearborn Public Schools, classrooms are led by a Michigan Early Childhood certified teacher and a parapro with a Child Development Associate Certification. Classes meet for a full school day from Monday through Thursday. Times vary slightly by building, but are similar to the elementary school schedule. The program meets detailed state requirements using the Highscope Curriculum for how and what students learn.
“Social and emotional learning is at the heart of our preschool program,” said Amy Modica, the district’s Early Childhood Coordinator. “While we offer a well-rounded curriculum that includes literacy, math, motor skills, and language development, we prioritize fostering important social-emotional skills like independence, problem-solving, and cooperation.”
“We strongly encourage interested families to call and learn more and to fill out an application,” Modica said. To learn more, parents can call Cotter School at 313-827-6150.
