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UPK Program

Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK) is a New York State-funded program specifically designed for children the year before they are eligible for kindergarten.

 
UPK is a developmentally appropriate, learner-centered educational program to help four-year-olds develop physically, socially, emotionally, linguistically, culturally, and intellectually. The program has a strong emphasis on early literacy and early numeracy to help prepare children for kindergarten. 
 

Basic eligibility requirements:

  • must be a Clarence School District resident
  • child must be 4 years old by December 1st of the school year

Basic information:

  • UPK is a 180-day program that follows the District calendar 
  • Classes are either 2.5 or 5 hours a day (depending on placement)
  • Transportation and lunch are not currently provided
  • Attendance for UPK Program hours is at no cost to families 
  • Select centers offer “wrap-around” child care outside the UPK time at family expense (contact the providers for further details)
  • Students are randomly selected
  • Eligible students must be four years old by December 1 of the school year
Contact information:
 
 Melissa Byrd
Curriculum Department
716-407-9109 
9625 Main Street
Clarence NY 14031

2025-26 School Year

The application for the 2025-26 School Year will be available until 4:00pm on March 31, 2025. You do not need to register with the district until you receive a placement notice.

The lottery will be held on April 2, 2025, with notifications going out within 24 hours. If your child is selected, you will receive the UPK assignment and District registration directions. If your child was not selected, you will receive notice of the waitlist position. Any child not initially offered placement may be offered placements as they become available through the school year.

Additional information regarding providers, as well as the the selection and placement process, can be found under our FAQs or on our partner providers page.