The Orchard Park Central School District (OPCSD) is currently accepting applications for Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for the 2024-2025 school year. To participate, children must reside in the OPCSD’s attendance area and be four years old on or before December 1, 2024 – meaning, their birthdate must fall between 12-02-19 and 12-01-20. Applications are available online at www.opschools.org/upk and are due by March 8, 2024. The OPCSD is once again able to offer UPK through a grant provided by the New York State Education Department. This grant covers the cost of the program but does not cover transportation. It is the responsibility of each family to transport their child to the UPK site. There are only a designated number of UPK spots available. If the district receives more applications than available openings, a “digital lottery” will determine who will qualify to attend. Children are randomly selected for the program and selection is not based on academic or economic need. All registered children are equally eligible for participation. All students with complete registration before the March 8, 2024 deadline will have an equal chance for selection in the lottery. More information about the registration process and the UPK program is available online. Interested parents/guardians may also contact Amy Woodward at 716-209-6440 or awoodward@opschools.org with program questions. Registration questions may be directed to the Central Registrar at 716-209-6325 or registrar@opschools.org.