Several Westchester, Rockland Catholic Schools Add Free Universal Pre-K

An additional 1,300 seats have been added to the Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs at 33 New York Catholic schools, including several in Westchester and Rockland counties, the Archdiocese of New York announced this week.

The free Pre-K programs are available to four-year-olds in the area for the 2014-15 school year, and because demand is high, they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is offered in partnership with New York State and each local public school district, and it is designed to assist children in gaining an edge in their education at an early age.

“Pre-Kindergarten is a critical time when your curious child can become an active, interested student who looks forward to going to school,” said Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, in a statement. “The love of learning that begins in Pre-K will help your child begin on the road that leads to success in high school and beyond.”

In Westchester County, the Catholic schools offering the UPK program are Our Lady of Victory in Dobbs Ferry and Holy Name of Jesus in Valhalla. In Rockland County, the schools are St. Paul in Valley Cottage, St. Gregory Barbarigo in Garnerville, Sacred Heart in Suffern and St. Catherine Early Childhood Center in Blauvelt.

All UPK programs “adhere to the same high standards and curriculum, regardless of the location of the program with a maximum of 18-20 children in each class,” according to the archdiocese. Programs run Monday through Friday; half and full-day sessions are available.

To see the complete list of New York Catholic schools that offer the UPK program, visit the website http://www.buildboldfutures.com/upk.html. The site also contains the application.