Preschool Curriculum

View specifics of the preschool curriculum used in Alamogordo Public Schools.

2022-2023 NM Preschool Family Handbook

View the 2022-2023 Preschool Handbook. 

Pre-K Programs at APS

A variety of Early Childhood Programs are available to young children who live within the boundaries of the Alamogordo Public Schools District. We have 2 schools with early childhood programs; Stepping Stones and Holloman Elementary School.

DD3 & DD4

Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Program (also referred to as Developmentally Delayed (DD PreK)) is for children ages 3-5 who demonstrate a need and meet the criteria for special education preschool.

To comply with federal and state statute and regulation regarding developmental preschool programs, Alamogordo Public Schools shall ensure that:

• A free appropriate public education is available to each eligible child residing in the Alamogordo Public Schools jurisdiction/geographical boundaries beginning no later than the child’s third birthday;

• An IEP or IFSP is in effect for the child by the child’s third birthday; and

• If a child’s third birthday occurs during the summer, the child’s IEP Team determines the date when services under the IEP or IFSP will begin.

DD3 students attend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and are split into morning (8-10:45) and afternoon (12-2:30) classes. 

DD4 students attend  full day class every day of the week from 8-2:30, and 8-12:30 on Wednesdays. 

(34 CFR §300.101(b))

Alamogordo Public Schools shall provide a free appropriate public education for each eligible preschool child with a disability residing within its boundaries no later than the child’s third birthday and shall ensure that an IEP or an IFSP, as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is in effect by the appropriate date as outlined in federal and state regulation.

NMPreK

NM PreK is a state funded program. The program provides preschool comprehensive services for four-year-old children. Children who qualify for the program must be four years of age by September 1st of the current calendar year. All four year olds can register for PreK and will be selected based on need and availibility.

NMPreK students who are 4 years old on or before Sept 1 but don’t have an IEP. They have the same full day every week day class from 8-2:30, 8-12:30 Wednessday, and are mixed in with the DD4 students.

Parents will fill out an online enrollment for their child at Returning Family or New Family.  To sign up for the diagnostic screening please contact Email Elena Sukup. Parents should bring to the screening the students birth certificate, shot record, proof of residency and parent ID.  ONLY when all those things are complete: 4 documents, enrollment and screening, are you eligible for a spot.

Priority of enrollment, waitlist, and Out of Zone

We are required to service DD students within our attendance zone of HAFB.  Meaning the students who qualify for IEPs and live on the Air Force base are enrolled first.  Then we are able to enroll students who are NMPreK, or general education students, and that is decided based on who has completed all of the steps outlined above on a first complete first entered basis AND space available.  If space fills up, then students are put on a waitlist.  Out of zone students are also considered similarly, and the out of zone priority list is outlined in the school handbooks and the out of zone application form.

The Department of Special Programs is who manages the preschool program and will make placements for both Stepping Stones and Holloman Elementary School. You will be contacted toward the end of July as to whether you are accepted at HES. 

Once you are Enrolled

It’s really important to know that there isn’t transportation to and from HES unless you are a SPED student who is also enrolled at the CDC.  Parents cannot drop students off before 7:45 and students must be picked up at 2:30.  There is no before or after school care at Holloman Elementary School, so if you need childcare outside of these hours you may want to consider other options. Out of Zone students must be transported to and from school by a parent every day.