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UPK

Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program 2025-26

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK) is fully funded by New York State grants. After April 1, 2025 and pending passage of the NYS Budget, the application will be posted on the Commack Website.  The application must be submitted by May 1 in order to be included in the UPK lottery. There are a limited number of openings based upon the amount of grant money Commack receives from the State. The UPK half-day and full-day programs meets five days per week during the school year at local preschools.


Students must reside in the district and be four years old on or before December 1, 2025, to be eligible to attend UPK in the fall of 2025. Students are selected utilizing a lottery system to ensure that all applicants have an equal opportunity for participation. A numerical waiting list is maintained. In the event of availability, families will be notified in the order in which their number was chosen.

Commack Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, the program will be free.

  • The program will be either half day (2.5 hours, 5 days a week) or full day (5 hours per day, 5 days a week).

  • The program will be run by community-based organizations.  The participating preschools will be decided shortly.

  • The program follows the Commack School District calendar.

  • Children residing within the Commack School District who turn 4 years of age by December 1, 2025, are eligible for the program.

  • No, placement for the UPK program is determined by selection in the lottery. Lottery registration will take place in May.

  • No, all names will be entered into the lottery and only the names drawn will be granted admittance. In addition, multiple children in the same family are not guaranteed placement in the same building.

  • Parents of children selected for the program will be notified via email after the lottery takes place and the state provides accurate grant information for the program.

  • The program will be housed at community-based organization locations.

  • We cannot guarantee placement in a particular building. However, when registering your child for the lottery, you can indicate the location you would like your child to attend, and we will make every attempt to accommodate your request.

  • Please contact the community-based organizations for more information about before/after care.

  • All providers contracted by the Commack School District must follow all standards set forth by the New York State Education Department.

  • No, transportation is not provided for this program

  • Yes, all children should be toileted trained to attend.

  • Yes, after all slots are filled, the remaining lottery numbers are added onto a wait-list. If students drop out of the program before the start of the school year, the Registration Office will contact families on the wait list in their lottery order.