SchoolChoice Round 1 — December 2, 2025 to January 20, 2026

Posted December 1, 2025

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What Is SchoolChoice?

SchoolChoice is the Denver Public Schools application process designed for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school next school year, as well as for students going into ECE and kindergarten. Families complete a SchoolChoice application to request a space at their preferred school. Round 1 of the 2026-2027 SchoolChoice program runs from Tuesday, December 2, 2025 to Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Applications are due by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, January 20. 

Please note that all applications submitted during the Round 1 window are treated identically – there is no priority given to applications submitted earlier in the window.

Is McKinley-Thatcher in an Enrollment Zone?

McKinley-Thatcher is part of the Southwest Central Elementary Enrollment Zone along with Asbury Elementary and Godsman Elementary. Families residing in the Southwest Central Elementary Enrollment Zone are guaranteed a seat at one of these three schools. 

Do I Need to Complete a Choice Application for My Student?

I have an incoming ECE-4 student.Yes, you must complete a SchoolChoice application and aUniversal Pre-K (UPK) application (due Monday, February 2) for this student. See the UPK section below for more information.
I have an incoming kindergarten student.Yes, you must complete a SchoolChoice application for this student.
I have a kindergarten – 4th grade student currently enrolled at McKinley.No, current McKinley students in kindergarten through 4th grade do not need to complete a SchoolChoice application. 
I have a 5th grade student currently enrolled at McKinley.You are strongly encouraged to complete a SchoolChoice application for 6th grade.
I have a kindergarten – 4th grade student at a different school but I would like them to attend McKinley next year.Yes, you must complete a SchoolChoice application for this student.

UPK Application Process for ECE-4 Families

All incoming ECE-4 families must submit two separate applications. 

  1. Submit a Universal Pre-K (UPK) application beginning on Tuesday, December 9 through the UPK website at upk.colorado.gov.
  • Please note: the UPK application window runs from Tuesday, December 9 to Monday, February 2, but the application operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that families are strongly encouraged to submit their UPK application as soon as possible. 
  1. Submit a SchoolChoice application by Tuesday, January 20 through the DPS website at schoolchoice.dpsk12.org. 

Incoming ECE-4 students who have a sibling currently attending McKinley or who are the child of a current school staff member have admission priority at our school. Other ECE-4 applicants will be placed according to UPK’s matching algorithm. 

Colorado’s Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program helps families pay for their child’s ECE tuition. In order to receive tuition assistance, as well as to be placed in an ECE program, families must complete a UPK application. 

Families must complete a SchoolChoice application in order to indicate their intention to enroll in a DPS ECE program for the 2026-2027 school year.

How Much Will My Child’s ECE-4 Tuition Be?

The Universal Pre-K (UPK) program gives families 15 hours per week of free, state-funded preschool for children in ECE-4. After UPK funding is applied, the remaining tuition costs for ECE-4 families are calculated on a sliding scale based on family size and income. Check the DPS Early Education website for ECE tuition information. Please note that there is no tuition for kindergarten.

How to Complete a SchoolChoice Application:

The SchoolChoice application process is completely online. You may complete your application on your phone, tablet, or computer at schoolchoice.dpsk12.org, or visit our main office to use a Chromebook. Complete your SchoolChoice application by January 20, 2026.

Please note that incoming ECE-4 families must complete both a UPK application (due February 2, 2026) and a SchoolChoice application (due January 20, 2026). Please see the UPK section on the front of this flyer for more information.

What Documents Do I Need for My Application?

  • ECE families must provide proof of income for 30 consecutive days, proof of address, and proof of age (usually a birth certificate).
  • NEW DPS students must provide proof of address.
  • CURRENT DPS students do not need to provide any documents unless your family’s address has changed (please submit proof of address if this is the case).

What Happens After I Submit My Application?

The SchoolChoice Round 1 application window closes on Tuesday, January 20. Families who submitted a Round 1 application will receive a school placement notification from Denver Public Schools in late February 2026. Families will receive a welcome message from their school after placement notifications have been sent. 

The UPK application window closes on Monday, February 2. ECE-4 families will receive a school placement notification from UPK in mid to late February 2026. 

I Need More Information — Where Do I Look?

For assistance with the Denver Public Schools SchoolChoice application:

For assistance with the Universal Pre-K application: