Potter Elementary School will accept preschool students for the first time in its history this September, extending the district’s early learning programming.

The Dartmouth School Committee included $105,613 in its 2018 budget for a new preschool classroom, which the committee will vote whether or not to approve at the March 27 meeting. The district's preschool program currently runs solely out of the Cushman School in South Dartmouth.

“An issue for some time has been that the geographic location of the program limits access to families in North Dartmouth,” explained Potter Elementary Principal Heidi Brooks. “It’s a bit of a hike to get to the [Cushman School] from there.”

With signups finished and screenings underway, Brooks aims to turn a music room into the new preschool classroom.

“It has bathroom access right in the room, access to a playground space designed for preschoolers – their age and size – and there is access to a parent drop-off/pick-up area,” Brooks explained.

Brooks is also monitoring any potential spacing issues. Already, there is limited physical space available at the school, necessitating classroom rearrangements.

Potter held a formal registration period for its two programs — peer partners, and students with special needs. The district received 16 applications for the 15 total program openings during a formal registration period. That includes two children already attending Cushman, but who live within the Potter district, according to Early Childhood Education Director Melissa McHenry.

The numbers could change as screenings continue and additional applications come in. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of openings, a lottery system will be used to determine placement.