MINI DRAGONS IS FULL FOR THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR
Acceptance Letters and Wait List notifications will be mailed soon for next year's Mini Dragons Preschool
- The Mini-Dragons preschool program is available at no cost to families and is open to in-district Niles resident students
- NEW: Your child must be four years of age on the first day of school to apply, which will be August 19, 2026
- Students attend the program Monday-Friday from 8:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch meals are provided. Bussing is also available. Space is limited.
- Your registration/application for Mini Dragons will not be considered unless and until ALL forms have been submitted and ALL required documents have been received
- Mini Dragons screening will be held in August; however, your child will not be screened if their registration has not been completed
- Once registration is completed your application for a spot in this program will be considered and you will be notified of their approval on a date yet to be determined by our Administration
Trumbull County Educational Service Center's Integrated Preschool Program
The Trumbull County Educational Service Center (TCESC) Preschool Program provides preschool services for both typically developing and students with disabilities ages 3-5. To apply, parents should follow the instructions for PS-12 Student Registration and, once completed, your child's information will be forwarded to the Trumbull County ESC who will notify you regarding your application for enrollment in their program.
Preschool students with disabilities have received a school based multi-factor evaluation and meet one of the 14 ways a preschool child qualifies for special education in public school according to the Ohio Department of Education definitions. If you have questions about how to pursue an evaluation for your child, you can contact TCESC Early Childhood Supervisor, Marilyn Fredenburg, at 330-505-2800 extension 503.
TCESC is a recipient of an Early Childhood Grant (live link) from the Ohio Department of Education. This grant provides funding for typically developing children who meet specific financial criteria. All typical developing children families will be asked to complete the Early Childhood Education Income Eligibility Screening Tool (live link). Results of the information on the form may result in a request for proof of income. Typically developing children must be registered with the Niles City school district.
- Child must be potty trained
- Child's age is determined to be their age as of October 1st of the current year
Trumbull County ESC Preschool Evaluation Requests
If you have spoken with the Trumbull County ESC and your child is pending an evaluation from the Trumbull County Educational Service Center and you reside within the Niles City School District, your child must be registered in our district before their evaluation. Once registered, you will be contacted by our Office for Exceptional Children
ALTA Head Start
Alta Head Start/ Early Head Start offers quality educational programs in a nurturing, secure and developmental appropriate setting for children birth to five. Qualified, credentialed teachers who are trained in best practice academic and social- emotional standards, as well as other trained support staff, provide children a preschool experience focused on school readiness skill development.
Children qualify for services based on federal income guidelines and this is a no cost program located in the Niles Board of Education Building at 309 N Rhodes Avenue, Niles, OH 44446. ALTA Head Start is not part of the Niles City School District; therefore, children to not need to be registered in our district nor can we provide any specific information regarding their program.
To apply, visit their website (link below) or visit one of their locations at Campus of Care, 1960 E County Line Rd. in Mineral Ridge or their Administrative Office at 142 Javit Court in Austintown. You will need to provide them with Proof of Residence, Proof of Birth and Proof of Income.
Fairhaven's Integrated Preschool Program
All children enrolling in this program who reside in Niles City School District must be registered in Niles City Schools.