Universal Prekindergarten (UPK)

Applications for 2027-28 Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) open December 9, 2026.

• Early childhood programs with qualified teachers at local preschools
• Children attend five hours (full-day), Monday through Friday, during the school year
• NO COST for families
• South Orangetown families with children who will turn four years old by December 1, 2027 are eligible to apply for the 2027-28 school year (Children must be born between December 1, 2022 and December 1, 2023)

Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is a special early childhood program established by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and school districts to provide an early learning experience for the children of eligible families.

Application Process

STEP 1: Apply here starting December 9, 2026: English | Spanish. The online application must be completed, along with proof of age eligibility and proof of residency. 

STEP 2: Once your child has been registered online, submit copies of the following required documents via email (upk@socsd.org) or mail (UPK, South Orangetown Central School District, 160 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt, NY 10913):

Proof of Age Eligibility:

• A duly certified transcript of a birth certificate filed according to the law, or a duly certified transcript of a record of baptism, giving the date of birth; OR, if not available,
• A passport showing the date of birth of the minor; OR, if not available,
• Other documentary evidence or other recorded evidence in existence two years or more, and satisfactory to the certification officer, except an affidavit of age.

Proof of Residency:

• Two (2) of the following documents with parent/guardian name and address listed are requested:
  • Homeowners: Mortgage papers, town/school tax bills or copy of the deed
  • Renters: Copy of a signed lease agreement
  • Current bank statement, tax bill, utility bill or credit card bill. (NOTE: Handwritten envelopes, magazine covers, termination notice for utility bills and income tax returns cannot be accepted as proof of residency.)

Registration Process

Once the completed online registration and proof of age/residency requirements has been received, families will be contacted for interviews. Please note that family interviews are required. The purpose of this interview is to meet with you and your child, review eligibility requirements, complete additional paperwork for your child’s registration file, to confirm your provider selections and answer questions and/or concerns you may have. All interviews will be conducted in the District’s Curriculum & Instruction Office at 160 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt, NY 10913.

Families must bring the following documents to their interview:

• Health Examination Form (to be completed by child’s physician and returned to our office as soon as possible)
  • If applicable, please provide any healthcare plan for your child’s medical needs.
  • If you don’t have a current immunization schedule to provide, you need to submit a letter from your child’s physician stating any medical reasons for not having a completed immunization report.
• Parent/Legal guardian’s driver’s license or government-issued identification
• Emergent Multilingual Learners Language Profile (English | Spanish)
• Home Language Questionnaire (English | Spanish)
• Free and Reduced School Meals Application (English | Spanish)
• Student’s most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP), if applicable
• Custody papers, if applicable (copy of the original custody papers are necessary in cases of divorce or remarriage). If you are not the parent/legal guardian of a child you wish to register, we will require valid custody papers with all necessary information.
• UPK Provider Selection Form for the 2027-28 school year (coming soon).

Applications received or postmarked after February 5, 2027 will be placed on a wait list unless additional openings become available.

Selection Process

The South Orangetown Central School District will review completed applications and verify eligibility.

• All eligible students who have submitted a completed application, proof of age and proof of residency by February 5, 2027, will be entered into the districtwide lottery. The lottery results will be used to place students in the UPK seats. 
• Parents and guardians will be notified of the status of their child's application via mail once selections/assignments have been made.