Universal Pre-Kindergarten 2024-2025 School Year

Thank you for your interest in the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program through the Alden Central School District. Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is open.   

  • PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT: Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM to be held in the Alden Primary School Commons located at 11197 Broadway. 

    • In the event of a school closing, the informational session will be rescheduled for Monday, January 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM. 

ABOUT OUR UPK:

  • UPK offers a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate experience for our students.

  • The program is in session Monday through Friday each week and follows the Alden school district calendar.

  • Parents are required to provide transportation to and from the program.

  • The Alden Central School District collaborates with a community partner, World of Wonders, to provide this program at Alden Primary School.

  • For the 2024-2025 school year, Alden will be offering full-day UPK for 6 hours a day.  The school day is from approximately 8:10 AM - 2:10 PM. 

  • It is a tuition-free program funded through a New York State Education Department grant. There is limited availability based on this funding. There are approximately 70 slots available for the 2024-2025 school year.  If more children apply than there are available slots, the district will hold a random selection lottery the first week of March 2024.  Families with multiple children eligible for UPK will be entered into the lottery as one application. When the application of a family of multiples is drawn in the lottery, all children will be offered a UPK slot.    

  • Before and after-school childcare may be available through World of Wonders for an additional fee. Registering for the UPK program does not guarantee wrap-around care.  Families must register for additional childcare with the provider once a UPK placement has been determined.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • A child who resides within the Alden Central School District attendance area.

  • A child who will be four years old on or by December 1, 2024.  The child's birthday must fall between December 2, 2019, and December 1, 2020.

  • A child who is age-eligible to attend kindergarten is NOT eligible for the UPK program.

REGISTRATION PROCESS:

Parents or guardians need to:

  • Complete the application

  • Provide copies of the following required documents:

    • Child's birth certificate

    • Child's current Physical and Immunization record (dated within 1 year of the registration date)

    • Two proofs of residency

      • Proof of residency must show the parent/guardian's name and address on two different items, such as a utility bill dated within the past 30 days, a driver's license, etc.

Drop off or mail completed packets to:

Attention: Patti Piegdon, Central Registrar

Alden Central School District

13190 Park Street

Alden, NY 14004

The completed registration packet and all required paperwork must be turned in to our Central Registrar's office no later than March 1, 2024, to be entered into the lottery.

All students registered by March 1, 2024, will be eligible for the lottery.

UNIVERSAL PRE-KINDERGARTEN TIMELINE:

  • Parent information night: Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM to be held in the Alden Primary School Commons located at 11197 Broadway. 

    • In the event of a school closing, the informational session will be rescheduled for Monday, January 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM. 

  • All registration paperwork is due by March 1, 2024.

  • Parents/guardians will be notified of a UPK OR waitlist placement around March 15, 2024.

  • Acceptance of the UPK placement will be due to the district by March 31, 2024.

Questions?

If you need additional information, please contact:
Michelle Busch

UPK Program Coordinator

716-937-9116, 4020
mbusch@aldenschools.org