Early Childhood Center
Early Childhood Programs at Muskegon Public Schools offer families of young children many opportunities for care, growth and learning. Our programs ensure a safe and secure environment that promote each child's individual development.
We offer a high quality preschool experience to eligible three and four-year-olds through our Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program.
For more information on any of our listed programs, please click the plus sign on the appropriate box below or contact our office.
2024-2025 Preschool Information
To ask about eligibility for either of our programs or to have
application forms emailed to you, please contact Enrollment
Specialist, Nicole Cooper, in one of the following ways:
Email: ncooper@muskegonisd.org
Call: 231-720-2540
When visiting the enrollment office to apply or when
turning in paperwork, please include the following
documents for quick processing*:
❏ Child’s birth certificate**, hospital birth record OR affidavit of parentage
❏ Proof of total 2023 household income (examples: 1040 tax forms**, W-2’s, cash assistance, SSI, SNAP, child support, unemployment, etc.)
❏ Proof of residency (current UTILITY bill)
❏ Child’s medical insurance card (Medicaid, private insurance, etc.)
❏ Child’s up-to-date immunization record (needed by the first day of school)
*Items in bold are documents needed for initial application processing. Your child cannot be accepted without these.
**preferred documents
These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education
Program location:
Bunker Elementary - Head Start
Marquette Elementary - Head Start
Oakview Elementary - GSRP only
Head Start
Head Start is a free preschool program sponsored by funds from the Federal Department of Health & Human Services. The goal of Head Start is to increase school readiness of your children in low-income families.
Qualifications: Priority is given to families who reside in the Muskegon Public Schools district. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by December 1 of the current school year. Families must also meet income eligibility requirements.
Cost: Free
Enrollment Office: Bunker Elementary, 2312 Denmark St. After August 26th, enrollment will be at Marquette Elementary, 480 Bennett St.
Session Times: Half Day and Full day classes, Monday through Thursday.
Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
Great Start Readiness is a free preschool program sponsored with funds from the Michigan Department of Education.
Qualifications: Families must be able to meet state qualifying factors. Children must be age 4 by December 1 of the current school year. Priority is given to families residing in the Muskegon Public Schools District.
Cost: The program is free to income-eligible families. If a family is over income, we have a sliding fee scale with affordable monthly payments.
Session Times: Full day classes are in session Monday through Thursday each week.
Transportation: Transportation is not provided for the Great Start Readiness Program.
Enrollment Process
Enrollment is a two-step process:
Step One
The first step in the enrollment process is to complete a program application. Applications are available for pickup at:
Until August 26th, 2024: After August 26th, 2024
Bunker Elementary Marquette Elementary
2312 Denmark St 480 Bennett St
Step Two
The second step is a face to face meeting in our enrollment office to collect the required enrollment documents, complete additional paperwork and sign all necessary forms.
Required Documents for Enrollment
When visiting the enrollment office to apply or when turning in paperwork, please include the following documents for quick processing*:
❏ Child’s birth certificate**, hospital birth record OR affidavit of parentage
❏ Proof of total 2023 household income (examples: 1040 tax forms**, W-2’s,
cash assistance, SSI, child support, unemployment, etc.)
❏ Proof of residency (current UTILITY bill)
❏ Child’s medical insurance card (Medicaid, private insurance, etc.)
❏ Child’s up-to-date immunization record (needed by the first day of school) *Items in bold are documents needed for initial application processing. Your child cannot be accepted without these.
**preferred documents
Diane Aamodt
Program Director
Building Location:
Bunker Elementary
2312 Denmark St
Muskegon, MI 49441
Map
Office Hours:
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Office Phone: 231-720-2560
Fax: 231-720-2526
