By Laura Kostin
Another increase in preschool tuition might soon be in the offing for the highly sought‑after Greenwich Public Schools Preschool program. Tuition for the program currently sits at $10,286. That represents a 13% increase from the 2024–2025 school year when it was $9,087.
Members of the Board of Education Budget Committee discussed an increase at their last two meetings, though opinions varied significantly on just how much to raise tuition prices. A “first‑read” of the proposed new fee structure would set tuition at $10,924, an increase of 6.2% over current levels.
The children of full‑time GPS and Town employees pay significantly less. But that rate too has risen. It went up roughly $180 for GPS employees and nearly $240 for Town employees for the current school year. The 6.2% increase for the 2026–2027 school year would apply to them as well.
Documents posted online say, “This decision was made to address current market conditions and to facilitate cost recovery associated with credit card transaction fees.”
Greenwich PTA Council Early Childhood Education Chair Gabriela Marcus, an educator herself and an Education and Workforce Development Leader and Policy Advocate, said a 19% increase in two years puts pressure on parents who struggle to pay for childcare as it is, “It’s bad enough that marginalized families faced an increase last year. This is very challenging. Public preschool is becoming less accessible. With two kids in an extended day program, it’s almost $30,000.”
David Rabin, United Way Greenwich CEO, said, “Any increase in ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families’ household survival budget will put a greater strain on these families being able to make ends meet.”
The GPS Pre‑K is an integrated program that serves children with special education needs as well as typically developing peers. The program is federally mandated to provide a free and appropriate education (FAPE) to children who require special education services.
Dr. Michael‑Joseph Mercanti‑Anthony, who is in favor of the tuition increase, said, “Our preschool program is one of the great jewels of the district. We have highly talented, certified teachers that deliver an academic program that is peerless in town. We have data that shows the program gives an outstanding leg up to students at the start of their academic careers.”
The GPS Preschool is a five‑day‑per-week program that runs from 8:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Cos Cob School, Julian Curtiss School and Old Greenwich School. It runs from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Street School. At New Lebanon, the program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for its extended day program, while at Hamilton Avenue it runs from 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. or 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its extended day program.
Extended Day programs cost more, with tuition at $13,847 for the current 2025–2026 school year. Next year, it will be $14,706.
There are currently 18 preschool classes operating this year. The district plans to open a new preschool classroom, its 19th, at Parkway School.
