Open enrollment happens earlier this year, in February, for the Cherokee County School District’s Georgia Lottery Pre-K Classes, district officials announced. The earlier start has been moved up from the spring, providing parents more time to seek other preschool options should their 4-year-old not win a spot in the lottery drawing.

Space is limited for the classes, to be offered at Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy, Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy, R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy, and Johnston Elementary School Preschool Center.

Parents can apply at the participating schools between 8 a.m. and noon, Mondays through Fridays, from Monday, Feb. 4, through Friday, March 1. Names will be drawn March 6.

Students who will be four years old on or before Sept. 1 are eligible to enroll in the pre-K lottery. Out-of-attendance-zone students will be admitted only after all 4-year-olds in the school attendance area who applied are enrolled. Information: https://bit.ly/2PRlsp3