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 turn 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 but not five.
Contact information:
Melissa Byrd
Curriculum Department
716-407-9109
Curriculum Department
716-407-9109
9625 Main Street
Clarence NY 14031
2025-26 School Year
Our lottery was held in April but we have some placements left. Please sign up for our waitlist to be presented with our remaining options.
2026-27 School Year
The application for the 2026-27 school year will be available from March 2-31, 2026.
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.
