Schodack Central School District operates a New York State grant-funded on-site Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program facilitated by Story Place Preschool, Inc. Children are chosen for the UPK program through a random lottery and families must register for the lottery to ensure they are eligible.
The program is free and all children living within the Schodack Central School District who will be age 4 on or before December 1, 2024, are eligible.
Pre-Kindergarten Lottery, 2024-2025 School Year
Universal Pre-Kindergarten lottery registration for the 2024-2025 School Year will open on February 1, 2024.
UPK lottery applications are due by March 1, 2024.
Names for the 2024-2025 UPK Program will be randomly drawn on March 6, 2024. Families will be contacted shortly thereafter by Story Place Preschool, Inc.
How to Register
- Call (518) 477-7103 to make a registration appointment with Michele Rose at Story Place Preschool, Inc. You can also email her (mrose@storyplacepreschool.com).
- Bring the completed 2024-2025 Pre-K Application Form (see below) to your appointment and the documents listed under the UPK Registration Checklist (also below).
UPK Registration Checklist
Please bring the following documents to your registration appointment:
- Your child’s original birth certificate
- (3) proofs of parent/guardian residency (accepted forms of residency listed on UPK application)
- IF APPLICABLE – Custody paperwork
- IF APPLICABLE – Affidavit if you do not own or lease your residence
Pre-Kindergarten Handbook
You can find detailed information about the UPK Program in the Schodack Story Place Universal Pre-K Handbook here.
Openings During the School Year
If your child is in the eligible age group, you may apply for the UPK Program during the 2024-2025 School Year. Sometimes openings are created as students may exit the program for various reasons. If an opening does not exist at that time, students will be placed on a waiting list and would be contacted when/if an opening occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Universal Pre-K Program?
The New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK) is a state and district-funded program that provides educationally-based, high-quality pre-kindergarten for 4-year-old children. The program is free to all eligible children. UPK provides developmentally appropriate activities to help 4-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.
What activities are involved in the UPK Program?
- 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
Who is eligible for UPK?
UPK is open to children residing in the Schodack Central School District who are 4 years old on or before December 1, 2024. Income eligibility is not a factor, and all families are encouraged to apply. Admittance is through a lottery drawing.
Where are the classes located and what are the hours of operation?
Story Place Preschool, Inc is located in the Schodack CSD District Office Building located at 1477 S. Schodack Road. The UPK Program follows the Story Place Preschool Inc. calendar and runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Before and after care is available for an additional cost.
Who oversees the UPK Program?
The program is overseen by Story Place Preschool Inc. Schodack Central School District collaborates with Story Place Preschool Inc. to ensure that all New York State UPK programmatic requirements and curriculum standards are met.
Is transportation provided for my child?
Transportation is not provided.
If I call right away, will I be guaranteed a spot for my child?
No, UPK registration is not on a first come, first serve basis. Student placement is determined through the use of a random lottery system. Please keep in mind that while the district would like to accommodate all requests, it is possible that not all children who register for the lottery will get into the UPK Program.
How will I be notified that my child was selected for the program?
Story Place Preschool Inc., in cooperation with the district, will mail acceptance letters to all families who are selected for the program.
What happens if I am not selected for the program?
If your child’s lottery number is not chosen, you will automatically be placed on a waiting list in the order the numbers are listed.
How can we learn more about the program?
If you have any questions about the UPK Program, contact Michele Rose at (518) 477-7103 or Mrose@storyplacepreschool.com
Story Place Preschool Inc. UPK Contact
Michele Rose
Preschool Director
(518) 477-7103
Mrose@storyplacepreschool.com
Schodack CSD UPK Contact
Alyssa Sabbatino
Director of Teaching and Learning
(518) 732-2523
asabbatino@schodack.k12.ny.us