The Universal Pre-Kindergarten program (UPK) is a free Pre-K program, funded by New York State, for four-year old children who reside in the district. If you are an Averill Park Central School District resident, and your child will be 4-years-old as of December 1 for the school year for which you are applying, you are eligible to apply for this program.

 

Enrollment

The registration process is handled through the APCSD District Office. Children must reside in the school district and must by four (4) years of age on or before December 1, 2024. State regulations require the use of a lottery for student selection should the program receive more applications than we have seats for.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please fill out an application. The application, along with a copy of your child’s birth certificate, proof of homer ownership or rental, and two additional copies of proof of residency, must be received and/or postmarked by March 29, 2024. The application due date has been extended to Monday, April 1. Please mail the form and the required documents to (They can also be delivered to the District Office or scanned and emailed to ernestj@apcsd.org):
Julie Ernest
Averill Park District Office
146 Gettle Road, ST1
Averill Park, NY 12018

Those selected in the lottery process will be notified by email.

Proofs of residency and copy of birth certificate must be received with this application in order to be eligible for this program. Two proofs of residency required:

  • Driver’s license plus auto insurance card
  • One utility bill
  • Recent canceled check with pre-printed address
  • Recent pay stub with address

 

Schedule

The Pre-K program will run five days per week from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., following the calendar of the Community-Based Organization (CBO) that is hosting the program.

 

FAQ

1. What is Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)?

UPK is a free preschool experience made possible through grants from the New York State Education Department (NYSED). As long as the funding remains available, the district can offer the program.

2. Is the UPK program free?

Yes, those students selected to go are paid for through the NYS UPK grant. There are no fees paid by the family or the district up to 5 hours per day/ five days a week.

3. What days are the children off from school?

The program follows the calendar of the Community-Based Organization (CBO) that is hosting the program.

4. How long is the program?

It is a full-day program – 5 hours per day, Monday through Friday

5. Is the program run by the Averill Park Central School District?

The program is administered by the Averill Park CSD but is offered at community-based organizations (CBO’s). The locations for the 2024-25 school year are still undetermined but will be located outside the school district borders but in areas near the Averill Park school district.

6. Who is eligible? How do I apply?

District children who turn 4 years of age by December 1, 2024 are eligible for the program. To apply, you must fill out the application (paper or digitally) and submit by Friday, March 31, 2024. Your application must include a copy of your child’s birth certificate and two proofs of residence.

7. Can all district 4-year-olds attend?

No. During the 2022-23 school year, we were able to offer up to 47 spots in the UPK program. Each year we request proposals from CBOs with the hope of expanding our available slots. If applications exceed the amount of students that we have seats for, a lottery will be held to determine who will be able to participate. Everyone else will be placed on a waiting list. If any vacancies occur during the year, they will be filled from the waiting list until it is exhausted.

8. How will I know if my child has been chosen?’

The lottery will be held on Thursday, April 11. Parents of children participating in the lottery will be notified via email within one week of the drawing.

9. How does the waiting list work?

If, for any reason, a child drops out of the UPK program, the next family on the waiting list will be offered the vacant spot. If the family declines the vacancy for any reason, they will be removed from the waiting list and no longer eligible to participate in the UPK program.

10. Can a parent pay for an eligible child to attend additional hours in the program?

All questions regarding additional hours should be addressed with the provider.

11. If my child is going to be absent/be picked up early, who do I call?

The program provider.

12. Is transportation available?

No. Families must provide transportation for their child. It is expected that students will be dropped off and picked up at the appointed starting and ending times for their particular class.

13. What is taught in the program?

All UPK providers that are contracted by the district must follow the New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards. Each UPK provider is permitted flexibility in how they choose to deliver the curriculum.

14. If I was planning to send my child to St. Jude the Apostle for pre-school, do I need to apply?

If you would like your child to be part of the district’s no-cost UPK program, then you must complete our application.