Center Cass School District 66’s gold-rated preschool program is open to all children who live within District 66 boundaries and who will be 3 or 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2026. The program serves three groups of preschool students:
Tuition/community students
Preschool for All (PFA) grant students
Special education students
District 66’s preschool program is located at Elizabeth Ide Elementary School (PK–2nd) in Darien. Students attend school five days per week during either a morning (8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) OR afternoon (11:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.) session.
To learn more about our preschool program, please click here.
Preschool Screening
All children interested in attending the District 66 preschool program must participate in a developmental preschool screening. The screening helps determine eligibility and the most appropriate placement within the preschool program.
During the screening, district staff observe and assess children's development in areas such as:
Communication and language
Early learning skills
Motor development
Social-emotional development
Based on the results of the screening, children may qualify for preschool programming in one of the following ways:
Preschool for All (PFA) Grant Program – a state-funded program that provides preschool services for children identified as at risk for academic difficulties.
Special Education Services – children who qualify through the evaluation process may receive individualized support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Tuition/Community Enrollment – families may enroll their child in the preschool program through a tuition-based option if space is available.
Upcoming Preschool Screening
The next District 66 Preschool Screening will be held:
May 13, 2026 @ 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Families interested in scheduling a screening appointment should contact Student Services Administrative Assistant, Jori Knagge, at jknagge@ccsd666.org or 630-783-5168.
Screening appointments must be scheduled in advance and availability may be limited.
Enrollment Process
Following the screening:
Students who qualify for Preschool for All (PFA) or special education services will be contacted by the district regarding next steps for enrollment.
Families interested in the tuition/community preschool option will be notified regarding program availability and registration procedures.
All accepted students will complete the district’s in-person student registration process prior to the start of the school year. In-person registration appointments will be scheduled with Elizabeth Ide Elementary School’s Administrative Assistant, Stephanie Sorn, at ssorn@ccsd66.org or 630-783-5201.
Our Commitment
Center Cass School District 66 is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive preschool environment that supports early childhood development and prepares young learners for success in kindergarten and beyond.