2024-25 Pre-Kindergarten Registration Begins March 5, 2024

Feb. 21, 2024

Start Your Child’s Education with Pre-Kindergarten!

Applications Being Accepted Starting March 5; District Launches Lottery for Slots

The Hudson City School District is offering residents pre-kindergarten options for the 2024-2025 school year. Due to updates in New York State regulations, pre-kindergarten registration can no longer be a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, a lottery will be used to select eligible children. If there are sufficient pre-kindergarten slots to serve all applicants, the lottery will not be held and all completed applications will be offered a pre-kindergarten spot.

Pre-kindergarten immerses students into a learning-focused community that nurtures individual growth and provides a strong foundation for lifelong education. Children in quality early childhood programs learn socialization skills through group activities; experience reading- and writing-readiness activities; are better prepared for school success; and are more likely to attain higher levels of education. All pre-kindergarten options require attendance in person; a virtual option is not available. The pre-kindergarten calendar generally follows the Hudson City School District calendar.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten is a full-day program; Targeted Pre-Kindergarten is an income-based full-day program. The district uses income criteria to determine a child’s placement.

The district has several pre-kindergarten classrooms on site at Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School as well as spots at community-based organizations such as Head Start, The Starting Place and Bright Tykes Early Learning Center. Other organizations may be considered as well. Transportation is not provided to pre-kindergarten programs.

Eligibility 

In February, applications are sent as requested for eligible children. An eligible child:

• Turns 4-years-old on or before Dec. 1 of the school year when the student would attend.
• Cannot turn 5-years-old before Dec. 1 of the school year when the student would attend.
• Resides within the Hudson City School District.

Key Dates

• March 5 through May 3: Applications will be accepted.  
• May 6: Lottery drawing, if the number of applications exceeds the slots available.  
• May 10: Parents will be notified regarding a child’s placement or addition to the waiting list by phone or mail. This will include notification about next steps, including navigating the registration process.
• May 31: Deadline for parents to notify the district of their intent to accept the slot by emailing registration@hudsoncsd.org.

Applications

Parents are asked to complete the following forms, provide the requested verification documents and rank their preferences for programs and locations. Every effort will be made to accommodate families’ choices. Forms are available at the link here or by picking them up in the District Administrative Office from the Registrar.

• The application.
• Evidence of a medical physical within one year.
• Current immunization record.
• Copy of parent or guardian photo identification.
• Proof of residency.
• Language questionnaire.
• Copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport.
• Income verification form, which must be completed whether or not a family qualifies for an income-based program. An application is incomplete without this form.
• McKinney/Vento form, regarding housing status.

To submit an application, email registration@hudsoncsd.org or drop off at the Registration Office. The submitted packet is reviewed by district personnel. If an application is incomplete, parents will be notified. The district, while attempting to honor placement requests for locations and programs, maintains all final decisions. Applications will be accepted beyond the application period for open slots or the waiting list. 

Lottery Procedures

Complete applications submitted by May 3 are assigned a number in the order received by the district. This tracks the applications submitted; it does not suggest that the child automatically has a spot. 

The numbers are then entered into the blind drawing conducted by the Hudson City School District’s Registrar and Director of Student Services. Numbers are drawn until all applications are accepted or waitlisted. If one sibling is drawn during the lottery, any other siblings are automatically accepted pending availability.

Hudson City School District policy allows district employees’ children living outside the district to enroll in Hudson. However, for pre-kindergarten programs, children residing in the school district will be placed before non-resident children are considered, regardless of the date of the submitted packet.

How to Learn More

Please contact the registration office at (518) 828-4360, ext. 2100, or email registration@hudsoncsd.org.

Thank you! We look forward to your child’s educational journey starting with Hudson City School District pre-kindergarten!

Kim L. Lybolt

Director of Student Services

Hudson City School District

#HudsonTogetherWeCan

2024-25 Save the Date Pre-K Registration PDF