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Preschool

2026-2027 3PK and UPK online registration will open on February 2, 2026

You can begin uploading and submitting registration information for Fall 2026
beginning February 2, 2026 at 6am.


Hard copies of the registration packet can be picked up at the Tubman Administrative Building, 78 Thornton Ave, or any elementary building the week of January 20th.  Those completed applications can be dropped off at the Tubman Administrative Building beginning at 8am on Monday, February 2nd.

 
 

2025-26 registration link - Current School Year Only!


AECSD UPK Registration Checklist and Information

If you are not the birth parent, proof of custody/legal guardianship will be required. (Please see Custody Information below.)

A parent/guardian must submit documentation and/or information establishing physical residence of the parent/guardian and the child in the Auburn Enlarged City School District (AECSD). Such documentation may include but shall not be restricted to the items listed below. To register your child with AECSD, you MUST be a district resident. Proof of residency is required. You must provide one of the following:
  1. Photo identification of registering parent/guardian
  2. Parent's proof of residence
    • Lease or Deed - dated and signed
    • Mortgage statement or tax bill
    • Utility or cable bill
    • NYS driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver identification
    • Furniture rental receipt
    • Pay stub dated within the last two weeks showing address
    • Auto insurance card with address
    • Social security statements, DSS documentation or other documents issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies
    • Court orders or court issued documents
    • Notarized landlord statement
  3. Copy of your child's original birth certificate. If that is not available, a passport, immigration card, or certified hospital transcript may be used.
  4. Custody papers, if applicable (see custody information below)
  5. Special Education records, if applicable
  6. Physical exam (dated within one year of scheduled school start date)
  7. Immunization record
  8. Proof of lead screening
  9. Proof of dental screening
In addition to the above-required documentation, AECSD also reserves the right to require:
  • Custody papers
  • Custodial affidavit
  • Parent affidavit
  • Homeowner/renter affidavit
  • Proof of Immunizations
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration Information


Pre-Kindergarten SELECTION CRITERIA:
This program is open to all children who turn three years old (3PK) or four years old (UPK) on or before December 1st, and who live in the Auburn Enlarged City School District. If we receive more applications than we have available slots, prior to the initial application cutoff date, children will be randomly selected.

INELIGIBILITY: 
A child is ineligible for this program if he/she is enrolled in another Pre-Kindergarten program that is supported by public funds, such as a preschool special education program. Student who are unable to attend Pre-Kindergarten 5 days per week, 5 hours per day (full-day program), for the entire school year are also ineligible.

The Pre-Kindergarten program will be held at the locations listed. Due to limited space at some locations, AECSD cannot guarantee your choice.

Please indicate your first (1st) and second (2nd) choices only.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE SITES BEFORE MAKING YOUR SELECTION AS ALL PLACEMENTS ARE FINAL.

We CANNOT ACCEPT your child's application until complete with the above mentioned supporting documentation.

Complete the registration and medical information in this form and submit it with the required documentation. If you are unable to upload documents in this registration, you can:

Mail or drop off paper registrations (beginning on or/after February 2, 2026 at 8am) to Terri Donnelly, Registrar, AECSD, 78 Thornton Avenue, Auburn, New York 13021.

Fax to Terri Donnelly, Registrar at (315) 282-2830.

For more information, contact Terri Donnelly at (315) 255-8825 or Michelle Kolceski, Director of Early Learning, at (315) 255-8613.




Custodial Information

Custody disputes must be handled by the courts. By law, if parents are legally separated or divorced, each parent has equal rights to custody of and access to the child, unless on parent has a signed court order that specifically states otherwise. The school has no legal right to refuse access by a biological or adoptive parent, or a legal guardian, to his/her child and/or the child's educational records, unless there is a current, valid, and binding court order that explicitly limits access to the student or the records. Additionally, an order limiting or denying visitation or other access to the child, is not sufficient to limit access to educational records in the absence of a court order explicitly denying or limiting access to records.

If a parent has a current, valid, and binding court order limiting access to the child or records by the other parent or any other person, the school must have a copy of the court order on file at the office of each school building in which a covered child attends. If a copy is not on file, the school will release children to their parents or guardian with proper identification, unless the best interests of the children require otherwise. Situations in which the welfare of students may be in question will be handled at the discretion of the principal/designee. If in the judgment of the principal/designee, parents or guardians engage in conduct that causes or poses a substantial threat of disruption to the school, the school will contact law enforcement and request assistance. The school will also contact the Department of Social Services, when appropriate.


Homeless Students

Pursuant to Commissioner's Regulations, a "homeless child" means a child or youth who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including a child who is:

a) Sharing the housing of other persons due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
b) Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
c) Abandoned in hospitals;
d) Awaiting foster care placement, or
e) A migratory child living in circumstances described above.
f) A child or youth who has a primary nighttime location that is:
  1. A supervised, publicly or privately-operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations including, but not limited to, shelters operated or approved by the state or local department of social services, and residential programs for runaway and homeless youth established pursuant to Executive Law Article 19-H; or 
  2. A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; including a child or youth who is living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station or similar setting.
g) Considered an "unaccompanied youth":
  1. An unaccompanied youth is a homeless child (for whom no parent or person ni parental relation is available) or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.
  2. An unaccompanied youth shall not include a child or youth who is residing with someone other than a parent or legal guardian for the sole reason of taking advantage of the schools of the district. The term "homeless child" shall not include a child in foster care or receiving educational services pursuant to Education Law Sections 3202(4), (5), (6), (6a), or (7) or pursuant to Articles 81, 85, 87, or 88. For example, a child in a family home at board, a school for the intellectually disabled, a hospital or other institution for the care, custody and treatment of children; youths under the direction of the Division for Youth incarcerated in county correctional facilities or youth shelters; or children residing in child care institutions or schools for the deaf or blind would not be considered "homeless."
Enrollment, Retention and Participation in the Educational Program

Enrollment of homeless children shall not be delayed and their ability to continue or participate in the educational program shall not be restricted due to issues such as:
a) Transportation;
b) Immunization requirements;
c) Residency requirements;
d) Birth certificates, medical records, individualized education programs (IEPs), school records and other documentation;
e) Guardianship issues;
f) Comprehensive assessment and advocacy referral processes;
g) Resolution of disputes regarding school selection;
h) Proof of social security numbers;
i) Attendance requirements;
j) Sports participation rules;
k) Inability to pay fees associated with extracurricular activities such as club dues and sports uniforms; or
l) Other enrollment issues.

The School District shall provide homeless children and youth with access to al of its programs, activities, and services to the same extent that they are provided to resident students.

Homeless children and youth shall be educated as part of the school's regular academic program.





 

CONTACT
 
Michelle Kolceski
Director of Early Learning & ENL


Terri Donnelly
Central Registrar
Phone: (315) 255-8613



Phone: (315) 255-8825
Fax: (315) 282-2830
 
 
 
 
Welcome to Frog Street! For more Frog Street Information, click the Frog Street link on the top left.



Teachers and directors learn about the new Frog Street program for UPK - August 2025








UPK Site Information








The mission of the AECSD Early Learning Partnership is to create regular opportunities for early childhood programs and community partners to collaborate with the public schools in order to:
 
        •  Enhance the effectiveness of each program for the collective benefit of all early learners in our community.
        •  Create opportunities for preschool providers to share, as well as acquire educational resources.
        •  Maintain an ongoing dialogue to share concerns and develop solutions.
        •  Provide knowledge about early intervention resources available in our community to support preschool students with special needs.
 

Vision Statement

 
Through the work of the AECSD Early Learning Partnership, community educational programs and services will offer developmentally appropriate, resource-rich, culturally diverse, experiential, and hands-on curricula to support the emotional and cognitive growth of all preschool children in safe, hazard-free environments.
 

Belief Statement

 
The AECSD Early Learning Partnership believes in
 
        • Valuing and promoting the importance of early childhood education.
        • Encouraging understanding of how young children learn and develop.
        • Supporting the creation and implementation of environments and curricula that meet the diverse needs of young children in our multicultural society. 
        • Reviewing trends, issues, and research in early childhood education and sharing this knowledge.
        • Facilitating a smooth transition for children from preschool to kindergarten and beyond.
 
 

The Universal Prekindergarten Program is a vital part of the Auburn Enlarged City School District, offering comprehensive educational services to Auburn residents whose children are 3 (3PK) or 4 (UPK) years old on or before December 1st.

UPK fosters collaboration among parents, childcare providers, preschool special education programs, community organizations, and other early childhood programs, working together with the Auburn Enlarged City School District to develop and deliver high-quality educational experiences for 3- and 4-year-olds.
 
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
 
What is Universal Prekindergarten?
Universal PreKindergarten (3PK or UPK) provides an opportunity for all three- and four-year-olds to participate in engaging, high-quality preschool programs. The program brings together parents, childcare providers, and community organizations to work collaboratively with the Auburn Enlarged City School District.
 
Why enroll your child in a District Universal Prekindergarten Program?
Research indicates that quality prekindergarten experiences support academic success and improve long-term achievement. Early childhood is a critical time for learning and development.
 
Who is eligible to enroll in the Universal Prekindergarten Program?
Any Auburn resident whose child is three or four years old on or before December 1st of the current school year is eligible to apply.
 
What is the cost to send my child to a Universal Prekindergarten Program?
The Universal Prekindergarten Program is funded by New York State and is free for eligible children.
 
Are there selection criteria for the program?
Applications are accepted during a designated period. If more applications are received than available slots, a random selection process will be used. Site placement is determined based on daycare needs, family income, and parental preference. Once selected, placement is not guaranteed at a specific site nor can a child's placement be changed once they are officially enrolled.
 
Is the Universal Prekindergarten Program mandatory for all three- and four-year-olds?
Universal Prekindergarten is an optional program. While enrollment is not required, regular attendance is expected for those who participate.
 
 
 
Superintendent: Misty Slavic, Ed.D.
Phone: 315.255.8800
Address: 78 Thornton Avenue | Auburn, NY 13021
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