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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

2024-25 School Year

We still have both full day and half day placements available. Please click here to add your child's name to the waitlist and be presented with available placements. 

 

2025-26 School Year

Because it's never too soon to start planning, the application for the 2025-26 School Year will be posted from Monday March 3 - 28, 2025. Please consider also registering your child with the district during that time.