Q: What is UPK?
A: It is grant funded and provides for a full, structured day of preschool programming.
Q: Who is eligible for UPK in the 2025-26 school year?
A: Children who reside in the East Greenbush Central School District and who are four years old on, or before, December 1, 2025 (students who are born between 12/2/2020 – 12/1/2021).
Q: Do parents have to pay for the UPK program?
A: The UPK program is free for families.
Q: Will transportation to and from school be provided?
A: No, transportation is not provided. Parents must transport their child to and from the UPK program.
Q: How are students selected for UPK?
A: In February, parents will register for the Pre-K Lottery by completing a google form. Students will be chosen randomly through a lottery draw conducted sometime in early April.
Q: Where will UPK be located?
A: UPK has nine locations:
- Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School
- 4 John St., Nassau
- Program Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Meals: Free breakfast and lunch or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Not Available
- Genet Elementary School
- 29 Englewood Ave., East Greenbush
- Program Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Meals: Free breakfast and lunch or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Not Available
- Green Meadow Elementary School
- 234 Schuurman Rd., Castleton-On-Hudson
- Program Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Meals: Free breakfast and lunch or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Not Available
- Red Mill Elementary School
- 225 McCullough Pl., Rensselaer
- Program Time: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Meals: Free breakfast and lunch or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Not Available
- Early Childhood Education Center
- 127 Bloomingrove Dr., Troy
- Program Time: 8:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
- Meals: Free lunch is provided or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Not Available
- Holy Spirit School
- 54 Highland Dr., East Greenbush
- Program Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Meals: Lunch (hot or cold option) is $3.50 per meal or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Before and/or aftercare available at cost to families
- TSL Adventures
- 1 Gilligan Rd., East Greenbush
- Program Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Meals: Hot lunch available at a cost of $55 per month or families can provide their own
- Before or Aftercare: Before and/or aftercare available at cost to families
- Tutor Time – East Greenbush
- 3 Springhurst Dr., East Greenbush
- Program Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Meals: Lunch and 2 snacks provided – food cannot be brought from home unless there is a strict dietary restriction
- Before or Aftercare: Before and/or aftercare available at cost to families
- Tutor Time – North Greenbush
- 325 Jordan Rd., Troy
- Program Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Meals: Lunch and 2 snacks provided – food cannot be brought from home unless there is a strict dietary restriction
- Before or Aftercare: Before and/or aftercare available at cost to families
Q: If my child currently attends a Pre-K program at one of the UPK sites, do I still have to apply via the lottery?
A: Yes, all students who wish to participate in the district UPK program must enter and be chosen through the lottery.
Q: When will I be notified of the lottery results?
A: Families will be contacted via email within one week of the lottery drawing.
Q: Is the lottery drawing open to the public?
A: Yes. Details will be shared when available.
Q: Will I have a choice as to which schools my child will attend?
A: Parents can indicate their site location preferences on the google form for the lottery entry. Site preference is NOT a guarantee.
Q: Does my child have to attend the program 5 days a week?
A: Yes. This is a full day, five days per week program. Attendance is monitored. If your family is planning to travel for an extended period of time, seats are not held and the student may be placed back on the waitlist for another seat to become available.
Q: My child was assigned to a UPK site through the lottery, but we would like them to attend a different UPK site. Can we switch?
A: No, but your child can go back on the waitlist for a seat at a different provider.
For questions about the registration process, or general UPK-related questions, please contact: Michelle Durfee at durfeemi@egcsd.org or 518-207-2528
For questions seeking provider information/details (e.g., before or aftercare costs) please contact the provider directly.