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.

Pending the approval of the New York State Budget, the Schenectady City School District will provide a full-day Universal 3-year old Pre-Kindergarten program and a full day 4-year old program. Seats are limited and admission is by lottery.

Application due date: Friday, April 26, 2024.

Lottery draw: Wednesday, May 1, 2024

*POST Lottery Application now available!*

At this time, we are opening a POST lottery application. Please select your home attendance zone for placement and registration will call you with any available options.

4-year old Pre-Kindergarten POST Lottery Application

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IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE 4 YEARS OLD BY DECEMBER 1, 2024, PLEASE COMPLETE THE 4-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 Friday, April 26, 2024.

Application for 3-year old Pre-Kindergarten Lottery - now closed.

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 Friday, April 26, 2024.  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- now closed.

To learn about any existing vacancies and/or to register, please contact the registration office.

Part 1: Application

Families may apply for a UPK seat by completing the online application which is 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