• GARDEN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

    Inspiring Minds, Empowering Achievement, Building Community

     

    2023-2024 Garden City Public Schools UPK Program

     

    Click here to view the Universal Pre-K (UPK) Application

     

    Deadline for completion of form: February 28, 2023

     

     

    Things to know:

     

    1. The program will run depending on funding from a government grant
    2. The availability of space and the results of the RFP (Request for Proposals) Process will determine the program location.
    3. No transportation will be provided.
    4. No aftercare is available.
    5. There is no cost to participate in this program.
    6. To be eligible, a child must be a Garden City resident and four years old on or before December 1,2023
    7. There is limited space in this program and a lottery will be held to determine enrollment.

     

    FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

     

    Dear Garden City School Community,

    We are currently working on the 2023-2024 school district budget and long-term planning for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) is part of that discussion. Garden City has received New York State (NYS) funding to provide UPK services for this current school year, and we will be receiving funds for the 2023-2024 school year.  

    For the 2023-2024 school year, we are projected to receive up to $1.5M. The funding may not be used for any other purpose. Additionally, school districts cannot use more than $5,400 per student from the funding. The allocation of $5,400 is set forth by NY State Education Department.  If the cost is more than the allocated amount, then the district has to use local funds to make up for the difference. Based on the results of our recent RFP, the cost of UPK services for the 2023-2024 school year will exceed $5,400 per student.  

    Per NYS, in order to be eligible for funding, the seats must be awarded through a lottery and be full-time for at least 5 hours a day. If we were to run a UPK program it will likely be limited to 40 students.  

    Below is a link to a short survey related to UPK. Please take a moment to answer the four survey questions, as your feedback will be utilized to plan for the future of UPK in our District.  

    Universal PreK Survey 

    Thank you. 


    Sincerely,
    Kusum 
    Kusum Sinha, Ed.D. 
    Superintendent of Schools 

    Click here to read the Parent Postcard