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UPK Program

The South Colonie Central School District offers two options for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK): half-day and full-day programs.

The half-day program comprises 2 ½ hours of programming, while the full-day program provides a five-hour learning experience. Both options have staggered start times to prevent traffic congestion compared to the K-4 school day schedule. It's important to note that transportation is not available for either program.

Enrollment in the UPK program is determined through a random lottery conducted in the spring of the preceding school year. All parents must register their students for the lottery to be eligible for UPK.

Funding for the UPK program comes in part from a grant provided by New York State, with the remaining funds being supplied by the school district's general fund.

 
 
 
 

2024-25 School Year

In the fall of 2024,  South Colonie will be offering an increased number of Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) programs across the district. Pending the amount of student responses and applications, the district is looking to expand to four (4) five-hour programs, and maintain six (6) half day (2 ½ hours) programs.

Each program/classroom has a capacity of eighteen (18) students, with a district maximum number of seats totaling 180 openings.  A random lottery is held each May to determine which students receive a placement. Any student not selected is placed on a waiting list should other students decline/move, and thus create an opening.  

*All parents must register their students with the District Registrar in order to be eligible for UPK. Registration begins in January. 

The UPK program is funded via Office of Early Learning grant allocations AND South Colonie’s dedicated funding sources. All programs are contingent upon the approval of the district’s school budget each May. 

Please note: Transportation and wrap-around care is not provided by the district.

 
 

Registration Information

Office of the Registrar
District Office
102 Loralee Drive , Albany, NY 12205
(518) 869-3576

DeNeen Bogdanowicz
registration@scolonie.org 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Online Registration

  • To register, visit the Family Connections Portal at the link below, and create an account (if you do not already have one).
  • Family Connections Portal

If you would like to register through mail. Please print out the application below, fill it out, and mail it to: South Colonie Schools, 102 Loralee Drive, Albany, NY 12205.

UPK Application

If you are unable to access any of these forms, please call (518) 869-3576 for assistance.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Available Programs

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Half Day Program

The half-day program is 2 ½ hours long. The morning (AM) session runs approximately from 8:45 to 11:15 a.m., and the afternoon (PM) session runs from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. This program option is located at two schools: Saddlewood Elementary School and Roessleville Elementary School.

prek

Full Day Program

Five-hour programming is currently housed at Roessleville, Forest Park and Veeder Elementary Schools. Shaker Road Elementary will also house a similar program in the fall of 2024. The programs will run from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 2:30. pm. Lunch and rest time are incorporated within the five hours of programming.

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UPK Lottery Information

The UPK Lottery will be held on Thursday May 23, 2024 at the District Office at 4pm. 

Results will be posted on this page and parents will be notified of their child’s selection. Once selected and notified, parents will need to accept or decline within two weeks. More information will be provided upon the selection process. 

 

 
 

UPK Openings

Parents with students of this eligible age group may apply for the UPK program during the course of the school year, as sometimes openings are created by exiting students.  Additionally, even if an opening does not exist at this time, students may be placed on a waiting list in which they would be contacted when an opening occurs. For more information, please contact South Colonie Student Support Services at 518-869-6759.

Registration Checklist

Parents are encouraged to make an appointment to register their child and should bring the following documents:

  • Your child’s original birth certificate
  • Immunization records
  • (3) proofs of the parent/guardian residency
  • Completed Universal Pre-K application (posted to this page)
  • IF APPLICABLE – Custody paperwork
  • IF APPLICABLE – Affidavit if they do not own or lease their own residency
 
 
 
 

Click on the question below to find our more information

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  • The New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK) is a state and district-funded program that provides educationally-based, high-quality pre-kindergarten to four-year-old children. The program is free to all eligible children. UPK provides developmentally appropriate activities to help four-year-olds prepare for Kindergarten. As our state’s school standards and expectations become more rigorous, making sure young children enter school with basic skills in place is critical for success. All UPK classes are taught by New York State certified teachers.

     
    • Reading readiness and early literacy development
    • Exposure to literature, both fiction and non-fiction
    • Math skills
    • Science lessons and discovery
    • Social skills
    • Self-help skills
    • Large motor activities
    • Fine motor activities
    • Music, dance, library and art
     

  • UPK is open to children residing in the school district who are four  years old on or before December 1 of the current school year. Income eligibility is not a factor, and all families are encouraged to apply. Admittance is through a lottery drawing held in May.

     
     

  • The Office of Student Support Services oversees the program. Specific questions with regards to UPK may be directed toward the Supervisor of Special Programs at 518-869-6759.  

    Any registration questions should be directed to the District Registrar at 518 869-3576.

     
     
     

  • No transportation is provided for this program. Parents/guardians are responsible for getting their students to and from the program.

     

  • No. The district does not have a first-come, first-served registration list. Student placement will be determined through the use of a lottery system in May. Please keep in mind that while the district would like to accommodate all requests, it is possible that not all children who register will get into the program. This is based upon the overall numbers compared to actual slots that are available. Registration begins in January.

     
     
     

  • The district will mail acceptance letters to all families who are selected for the program. At that point, you will receive additional paperwork and important documentation that will need to be returned to the Office of Student Support Services at Lisha Kill Middle School, 68 Waterman Avenue, Albany, NY 12205 within two weeks, to confirm your interest in the program.

     
     
     
     
     
     

  • If your lottery number is not chosen, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list in the order the numbers are listed.

     
     
     
     

  • UPK follows the South Colonie school calendar and runs Monday through Friday.

    All UPK programs have a staggered start time in comparison to the K-4 school day in order to avoid traffic congestion with buses. 

    The  half day program is 2 ½ hours long. The morning (AM) session runs approximately from 8:45 to  11:15 a.m., and the afternoon (PM) session runs from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. This program option is located at two schools: Saddlewood Elementary School and Roessleville Elementary School.

    Five hour programming is currently housed at  Roessleville, Forest Park and Veeder Elementary Schools. Shaker Road Elementary will also house a similar program in the fall of 2024. The programs will run from approximately 8:45 a.m. to 2:45. pm.  Lunch and rest time are incorporated within the five hours of programming. 

    Pending RFPs with collaborating community based programs, additional programming may become available.