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Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

 
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) offers a high quality, early education program that includes learning, fun activities, and nutritious meals. This free program promotes early education and independence through creative play experiences with other children and is staffed by caring professionals. In Cortland, there are several different providers of UPK that collaborate within a grant that is facilitated by the Cortland Enlarged City School District. There is one classroom at Barry Primary School and five classrooms in safe community centers.
 
Participating Community Centers include:
  • CAPCO (Program held at Smith) (607.299.4795)
  • Cortland County Child Development Center (607.758.9325)   
  • SUNY Cortland Child Care Center (607.753.5955)
  • Racker (607.753.9375)
  • YWCA Here We Grow (607.756.6070)
Information for Universal Pre-K (UPK)
  • Child's birthday must fall between December 2, 2020 and December 1, 2021.

  • Child must reside within the Cortland Enlarged City School District (CECSD)
    (Proof of residency will be required at the beginning of the school year).

  • Pre-K centers follow the CECSD school calendar.

  • Physical examination and NYS Immunizations are required before starting program.

  • Wrap-around (before and after hours) care is available at certain centers, please check with providers.

  • Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian for all centers with the exception of Barry Primary as long as the student is 4 years old.

  • Registration is continuous, however, to be eligible for the Barry Primary lottery your registration must be received before April 1, 2025.

  • Once the Barry Lottery is completed, the Community Centers and the School District work together to register students into placements. Once placements are full, students are placed on a waitlist. If a center has an open spot, the first person on the waitlist is called to fill the vacancy. The process continues as vacancies arise.

  • If you have any questions, please reach out to the Cortland District registrar at registrar@cortlandschools.org 

 
Registrations for the 2025-2026 school year are currently being accepted via the google form attached here