Prekindergarten

Beginning a journey, building a foundation

A guide to prekindergarten in Albany public schools
No step is more important in your child's education than the first one. That's why the City School District of Albany offers quality full-day prekindergarten in all 12 elementary schools, in its bilingual Dual-Language Program and at several community agencies.

2012-13 prekindergarten enrollment

Children assigned a 2012-13 seat must register by May 11

Families of students selected for prekindergarten in the district's annual lottery must register their child by May 11 or risk losing their spot.

For more information about what you need to register your child, visit our Required Documents section. You also can call Central Registration at 475-6125 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Central Registration is located at 75 Watervliet Ave.

If you miss the May 11 deadline, you will lose your child's spot and be put on a waiting list. If prekindergarten seats are still available after May 11, you may register your child starting May 21.

The prekindergarten lottery was held April 17 at Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST). The lottery was held in conjunction with the annual lottery for the district's three magnet elementary schools.

The application deadline for the prekindergarten lottery was March 30. Visit the following links for more information:

• 2012-13 prekindergarten application (.pdf document)

• 2012-13 prekindergarten brochure (.pdf format)

• Make the smart choice for your child! (sound necessary to listen to this .mp3 file)

The district offers 591 prekindergarten seats in all 12 elementary schools and at five community-based locations. A child must be 4 by Dec. 1, 2012, in order to qualify for prekindergarten during the 2012-13 school year.

Classes have a maximum of 18 children to make sure each child gets the individual attention that makes the prekindergarten experience meaningful. We encourage you to contact the principal or director at locations that interest you to find out more about your options (click here for that information).

The district will not provide bus transportation to any prekindergarten program in 2012-13.

How does the prekindergarten lottery work?

All incoming prekindergarten students are enrolled through a lottery designed to provide equal access for all children in Albany. You must enter your child into the lottery to get a seat in the program of your choice. The lottery is conducted by an independent national firm to assure fairness and impartiality.

On the lottery application, you will be asked to select your first, second and third choices. Student selection is random, but certain factors take priority when determining where your child will be enrolled:

• Sibling preference. A child with a brother or sister already in elementary school receives first preference at that school.

• Neighborhood preference. Second preference is given to a child who lives within a half-mile of a magnet school or within a given neighborhood school’s attendance zone.

• Open enrollment. This option allows parents to choose a non-magnet school outside their attendance zone.

The lottery drawing for the 2012-13 school year was held April 17.