Beverly Hills Unified School District is taking over the city's preschool program in fall 2026, letting local families start and finish their education in one system.

The transition, first authorized under a three-year Joint Powers Agreement approved in May, moves the state-licensed preschool from city to district control. The city of Beverly Hills had run the program in collaboration with BHUSD at the Hawthorne and Horace Mann campuses.

The JPA includes nearly $39 million in city financial contributions to the district over three years: $13.75 million in 2026–27, $13 million in 2027–28 and $12.25 million in 2028–29. The preschool transfer is one of several programs shifting to BHUSD under the agreement.

On Sept. 8, the Board of Education voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-2027-01, directing staff to build a phased plan for a comprehensive early childhood center. Student board member Michelle Schmidt also voted yes. The resolution tasks staff with seeking state approvals to expand programming to children as young as newborns, adding age groups for birth to 18 months and 18 months to 3 years.

Trustee Russell Stuart asked the board to tighten language that mixed specific age ranges with broader references to infants and toddlers. The final motion incorporated defined age ranges in two places.

Assistant Superintendent Dustin Seeman told the board that the district had already submitted documentation to the state and was awaiting license numbers for the Horace Mann and Hawthorne locations, the Beverly Hills Standard reported. Once those arrive, staff will pursue licensing for the 18-month-to-3-year program.

Seeman also said district staff had provided preschool teachers with professional development in classroom management and play-based learning. He is working with preschool staff on a strategic plan for academic and social-emotional support.

"I hope that this will develop into a flourishing program where the community can bring their children to us from day one as babies," Board President Judy Manouchehri said at the Sept. 8 meeting, as reported by the Beverly Hills Courier.

Trustee Rachelle Marcus called the early childhood center a goal the district had discussed for years. Manouchehri also outlined parent-and-me, grandparent-and-me and caregiver-and-me classes as part of the plan.

The program, now branded Beverly Hills Preschool under the district, has served the community for more than 50 years. Enrollment for preschool through 12th grade is open for the 2026–27 school year at bhusd.org/enrollment.

Staff is expected to present a report to the board by Dec. 1.