Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program

If you are interested in your child attending the Gouverneur Central School District’s Pre-Kindergarten Program, click the appropriate choice below

Location

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program is housed at Gouverneur Elementary School at 111 Gleason Street, Gouverneur, NY.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, a child must reside in the Gouverneur Central School District and be 4 years of age on or before December 1st of the school year you wish them to attend.

Selection Process

Gouverneur Central School District will use a lottery system to select students for the UPK program if more student registrations are received by the deadline than there are seats available.

Attendance

The UPK program is a full-day program that follows the GCS school calendar. Regular attendance is essential to support your child’s learning, development, and success in the program. Because UPK is a structured, full-day learning experience, consistent attendance helps children build routines, strengthen skills, and fully benefit from classroom instruction. We ask families to prioritize daily attendance and communicate with the school regarding any absences.

Cost

There is no cost for the UPK program.

Transportation

Bus transportation is available to and from Gouverneur Elementary School each day.

Food

Free breakfast and lunch will be offered to UPK students every day. However, students may bring a lunch from home.

What will my child learn in Pre-K?

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program is staffed by certified teachers and teacher assistants and provides high-quality early childhood experiences grounded in developmental best practices. Our classrooms are safe, nurturing, and engaging, with a strong emphasis on building meaningful partnerships with families.

Students develop important social-emotional skills by learning to cooperate, interact appropriately with peers, and build independence. Literacy is embedded throughout the day to promote reading readiness through storytelling, hands-on activities, and beginning handwriting. Math concepts are explored daily using manipulatives and technology. Children also participate in health and fitness activities, fine and gross motor play, art projects, and music experiences that encourage creativity and movement. Classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards and integrated technology, and students attend all special areas such as music, art, library, and physical education on a rotating schedule.

Attending UPK within the district supports a smooth transition to kindergarten. Students become familiar with the school environment, routines, and expectations, helping them enter kindergarten with confidence and a strong foundation for success.

Questions

If you have questions about this program, please feel free to call Gouverneur Elementary School at 315-287-2260.