Universal Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Timeline

Beginning of January: Lottery applications open. Don’t worry about timing; it’s not first-come, first served!

Complete the form ANY TIME within the application window. When the application closes, all students will be assigned a random number that is not connected to when the application was received.

End of February: Lottery applications close.

All students are assigned a random number.

Early March: Lottery is held.
Mid-March: Applicants are notified by email.
April 1 through June: UPK registration takes place.
July and beyond: Late UPK registration continues on a first come, first served basis.

UPK Lottery Procedure

Families complete the application on a Google form. Please note that FOUR school site choices must be listed for each child.
When the application window closes, all students are randomly assigned a lottery number by a computer-based system. This number is NOT based on when the child’s application was completed.
If the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available in UPK, a waiting list is created. Children are added to this list in the order of their lottery number.
Children are assigned to a program based on their lottery number. All efforts are made to place children in the most preferred program available. Additional consideration is given to children in the following circumstances:

Twins or multiples
Already enrolled in (and wishing to continue to attend at) a particular community-based site

*Please note that NO other special circumstances are considered including where siblings attend, how early an application was submitted, or any connections to or within the district.*

Families are notified of their child’s placement.
Families make an appointment with Central Registration to register their child. (845) 298-5000 x40132

Waitlist

If the number of applications exceeds the number of spaces available, a waitlist will be created. Children will be placed as spaces become available in the order of their lottery number.