Office of Teaching and Learning
Jessica Valente, Assistant Director of Pre-Kindergarten Programming

About

The Schenectady City School District offers two Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) programs. A program for 3-year-olds and a program for 4-year-olds. Seats are limited and selected through a random lottery selection process.

Eligible children must be a resident of the Schenectady City School District and meet the following age requirements:

UPK 3-year-old: A child must be three years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled.

UPK 4-year-old: A child must be four years of age on or before December 1st of the year in which they are enrolled.

Pre-K Academic Expectations

Application for 4-Year Olds

Application for 3-Year Olds

What is the Pre-k experience like for our youngest students? Watch this video for a sneak peek into Pre-K and why it is important.

To learn about any existing vacancies for the current school year, please contact the registration office.

Click here to open Universal Pre-K (UPK) Presentation

IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE 4 YEARS OLD BY DECEMBER 1, 2025, PLEASE COMPLETE THE 4-YEAR OLD APPLICATION.

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4-year old Pre-Kindergarten

Pending the approval of the NYS Budget, Schenectady City School District will provide a full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program.  Programs will be offered at district elementary schools and community-based organizations. Admission is by lottery. Applications must be received by DATE: April 23, 2025.  As a part of this lottery application, you should list the order of preference for which you would like your child to attend either their attendance zone school, or a program run by a community-based organization.  

Application for 4-year old Pre-Kindergarten Lottery- Application for 4-Year Olds

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IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE 3 YEARS OLD BY DECEMBER 1, 2025, PLEASE COMPLETE THE 3-YEAR OLD APPLICATION.

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3-year old Pre-Kindergarten

Pending the approval of the NYS budget, Schenectady City School District will provide a full-day Universal 3-Year Old Pre-Kindergarten Program. Programs will be offered at community-based organizations,  with  classrooms located at Schenectady Day Nursery and SCAP.  Applications must be received by DATE: April 23, 2025.

Application for 3-year old Pre-Kindergarten Lottery - Application for 3-Year Olds

Part 1: Application

Families may apply for a UPK seat by completing the online application which will be located on our website.

The application is for participation in the UPK Lottery and is not a guarantee or placement. The application will provide the option to rank the order of your preferred location.

Part 2: Lottery

The district uses a random number generator to determine the order of the draw. The lottery continues until all students are placed based on their choice and the number of seats available per location. Once all seats are filled, a waitlist will be started.

Part 3: Notification and Registration

Families are notified of placement via phone call and letter home. Additional registration paperwork will be required at this time to secure your child's seat in the program.

Registration Checklist

• Physical and Complete Health Certificate/Appraisal Form

• Dental Certificate or Dental Program Form

• Copy of Birth Certificate

• Parent/Guardian Photo ID

• Proof of Residency (must be dated within the last 30 days), includes on of the following:

  • Utility/phone bill

  • Cable bill

  • Rent receipt or lease

  • Payroll check

• Current Immunization Records

• Custody Papers (if parents are living apart or with guardian)

• If the student is a student with a disability, provide IEP/504 Plan