Senator Klein Announces 50 New Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs to Open in the Bronx – More Than 2,600 New Seats Added, Over 1,000 Seats Converted to Full Day Instruction

Jeffrey D. Klein

March 18, 2015

661 New UPK Seats in Hunts Point, Soundview, Castle Hill, Country Club and Throggs Neck; 470 in Riverdale/Kingsbridge; 535 in Woodlawn, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park and City Island

Klein Urges Bronx Families With Eligible Young Children to Register Ahead of April 24th Deadline

BRONX, NY - Following the launch of the Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) 2015-2016 open enrollment period, Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) today announced 50 new UPK programs have been added in the Bronx with more than 2,600 new seats available and over 1,000 half-day seats now converted to full-day instruction. Senator Klein urged parents with eligible children to register as soon as possible to secure their place ahead of the April 24th deadline.

“By ensuring our youngest students have access to a high-quality education, we are investing in a brighter future for all New Yorkers,” said Senator Klein. “Today, I’m proud to say that more than 2,600 four-year-old students will now have the opportunity to attend pre-K in the Bronx and more than 1,000 students will receive full day instruction this fall. Making sure our youngest students, regardless of background or socioeconomic status, have access to a first-rate education is paramount. That's why I've fought long and hard to implement and now expand pre-K programs in the Bronx and across New York City.”

UPK programs in the Bronx, which are available through New York City district schools, charter schools and NYC Early Education Centers, added 661 new seats in Hunts Point, Soundview, Castle Hill, Country Club and Throggs Neck; 470 new seats in Riverdale/Kingsbridge; and 535 in Woodlawn, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park and City Island. Additionally, this year, all half-day district pre-K programs were converted to full-day, bringing the total of full-day UPK enrollment in the Bronx to more than 7,000 students.

District 8 UPK Expansion: Hunts Point, Soundview, Castle Hill, Country Club,Throggs Neck

 

School

Zip Code

Expansion type

Seats 2015-2016 School Year

Ciditty Kiddie Pre-K

10473

New Program

36

Holy Family School

10473

Half-Day to Full-Day

72

Kiderific Nursery School

10461

Half-Day to Full-Day

14

Little Angels Daycare

10459

New Program

25

Our Lady if the Assumption School

10461

New Program

54

Providence Rest Child Day Care Center

10465

New Program

18

Shining Stars UPK

10461

Half-Day to Full-Day

30

Sotomayor

10472

New Program

126

St. Francis De Chantal School

10465

New Program

54

P.S. 36

10472

Half-Day to Full-Day

54

P.S. 119

10472

Half-Day to Full-Day

36

P.S. 304

10465

Half-Day to Full-Day

36

Boys Prep Charter School

10455

New Program

53

Girls Prep Charter School

10455

New Program

53

 

District 10 UPK Expansion: Riverdale/Kingsbridge

 

School

Zip Code

Expansion type

Seats 2015-2016 School Year

Amalgamated Nursery

10463

Half-Day to Full- Day

35

Marble Hill Nursery

10463

Half-Day to Full-Day

40

Oasis Early Start Imagination Center

10463

New Program

108

Spuytin Duyvil Pre School

10463

Half-Day to Full-Day

36

P.S. 310

10463

Half-Day to Full-Day

54

Riverdale Montessori

10471

Additional Seats

38

Riverdale Temple

10471

Half-Day to Full-Day

31

Riverdale Y

10471

Additional Seats

36

Saint Margaret of Crotona

10471

Additional Seats

92



District 11 UPK Expansion: Woodlawn, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, City Island

 

School

Zip Code

Expansion type

Seats 2015-2016 School Year

All Season A&C Day Care

10467

New Program

17

Bronx House 1

10461

Half-Day to Full-Day

90

Bronx House 2

10467

Half-Day to Full-Day

72

Bronx Park East Preparatory

10467

Half-Day to Full-Day

20

Holy Rosary Early Childhood at. St. Mary Star of the Sea

10464

New Program

36

Howard Haber Early learning Center

10462

Half-Day to Full-Day

12

Immaculate Conception School

10467

New Program

36

Mind- Builders Creative Arts Center

10467

New Program

18

St. Barnabas School

10470

New Program

54

P.S. 106

10462

Half-Day to Full-Day

36

Pre-K Center at 800 Lydig Ave

10462

New Program

36

Pre- K Center at 1684 White Plains Road

10462

New Program

36

Bronx Charter School for Excellence

10462

New Program

72

 

"This outcome is a win-win for City Island residents.  After months of waiting, our small community now has the same access to City services that many other residents enjoy,” said John Doyle, Corresponding Secretary of the City Island Civic Association. “Furthermore, we have protected the former St. Mary's school building from being sold down the road. I want to thank Senator Klein, as well as the staff of the Archdiocese's office for listening to our concerns and helping get us to this point."

"The Women of Woodlawn thank Senator Klein for his commitment to providing pre-Kindergarten to all Bronx students. Expansion of the program has been an issue near and dear to my heart for some time, and I applaud the Senator’s efforts in making this a reality,” said Erin Lee, President of the Women of Woodlawn. “I am thrilled the parents and families of Woodlawn will now have the opportunity to enroll their children this fall, and I look forward to seeing our youngest students learn, grow and prosper in the coming years.”

In 2014, Senator Klein secured $300 million in the state budget to fully fund Universal Pre-Kindergarten in New York City. Klein released a report that same year, detailing a $3.7 billion return on investment for the implementation of the program across the five boroughs. New York City’s long-term economic benefits include: (1) increased earnings by those who attend full-day pre-K, (2) a citywide drop in crime and incarceration rates, and (3) a sharp reduction in mental health issues and substance abuse rates among those who complete a full-day pre-K program.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten enrollment began on March 16th and will run through April 24th, 2015. All children born in 2011 who live in New York City are encouraged to apply and are eligible for September 2015 enrollment. Dual language and enhanced language instruction programs are available to all students. Families wishing to register can visit nyc.gov/prek, call 311, or visit a Family Welcome Center nearby.