Seeking Families Eligible for Universal Pre-K: Apply by 4 p.m. June 7

The North Colonie Central School District is again offering Universal Pre-K (UPK) as part of funding from the New York state adopted budget. UPK is a free program that will be open to North Colonie families with children who will be four years old by December 1, 2023. Please note that students who are age-eligible to enter traditional Kindergarten (5 years old by December 1, 2023), are not eligible for UPK.

Our Current Partnership

For the 2023-2024 school year the district will continue to partner with Catholic Central of the Albany Diocese and Colonie Youth Center (CYC). There’s currently 58 slots available. If we are fortunate to be able to hire additional UPK teachers, in partnership with CYC, we would potentially be able to offer more slots. We will hold a random lottery to fill our open slots. We will place students in open slots at our partner schools and continue to draw to maintain a wait list.  Should a family withdraw from a slot, we would then offer all openings in order based on our wait list.

Registration Information

To apply, the following paperwork must be submitted:

  • Registration application.This can be printed from our website (www.north colonie.org). Under the “Student Registration” tab, there is a link for “Pre-School Registration Forms” (One application must be completed for each child.);
  • A certified transcript of a birth certificate or passport, or record of baptism; if not available
  • A copy of a residential lease/deed/mortgage statement with a current utility bill; and
  • Custody paperwork, if applicable.

Completed registration forms and the required supporting documents can be submitted by email to Central Registrar Courtney DiCocco at: student.registration@ncolonie.org or by fax to: (518) 783-0471. You may also submit at the North Colonie District Office at 91 Fiddlers Lane, Latham. The District Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

All applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 7 by 4 p.m. Our random drawing will be held on Friday, June 9. 

For questions about the UPK Program, please contact Central Registrar Courtney DiCocco at student.registration@ncolonie.org.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UPK PROGRAM

School Information and Locations:

Catholic Central

347 Old Loudon Road

Latham, N.Y. 12110

Colonie Youth Center

15 Avis Drive

Latham, N.Y. 12110

Program Hours

We are currently working on finalizing the hours for both locations

Aftercare

Aftercare, which is run by each school, is available, for additional cost. If selected, please check with your child’s program for more information about Aftercare.

Transportation

Transportation is not available. Families are responsible for transportation to and from the Pre-K Program.

Future UPK Funding

Please note that this funding is on a year-to-year basis and that as long as New York state continues to fund this UPK program, North Colonie will continue to provide a UPK opportunity for students and families of four-year-olds (commensurate with the amount of state funding).