Which students are eligible for Pre-K in the 2026-27 school year:
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If your child will be four years old by December 1st, 2026, they are eligible for this program.
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Must provide proof of residency within the Brewster CSD. Requirements can be found here.
At what point will I need to provide proof of residency?
Once your child is selected via the lottery and receives notification of initial placement, you will then be asked to complete a registration packet. The registration process includes providing proof of residency (requirements can be found here). Completion of the registration process, including providing proof of residency, is necessary for a child to participate in the District’s Pre-K program.
Does Pre-K have its own school calendar?
No. Each of our Pre-K classes, regardless of location, follows the BCSD school calendar. We will have a 180-day program running from September through June 2027. Specific start and end-of-year dates will be released after the adoption of the 2026-27 calendar.
What options are available for Pre-K?
We anticipate having at least four Pre-K sections on campus in the 2026-27 school year, two at Brewster High School and two at JFK Elementary School. We also anticipate having sections at St. James School in Carmel, NY. It is also possible that additional off-campus options will be offered through one or more of our community partners. This will be determined in February.
How are students selected for Pre-K?
The New York State Education Department requires the District to hold a lottery for Pre-K if interest exceeds the number of available slots. We anticipate this will be the case, and as such, we will have a lottery on Wednesday, March 4th, at 2:00 pm (snow date: Thursday, March 5th, at 2:00 pm). The lottery will be live-streamed, open to the public, and recorded.
How do I apply for Pre-K?
An application will be live on Friday, January 30th, at 9:00 AM. It can be found on the District’s website. The link will be sent out via social media and various communications as well. Paper copies will be available at the District Office. Assistance will be available to anyone who may need it to complete the application. The application will close on Friday, February 20th.
How do I indicate my preference for which placement I would like for my child?
When submitting your interest for Pre-K, you will be asked to order your preference for placement. For example, if your first preference is for your child to attend the program at BHS and your second is JFK, you will note that when applying. If an off-campus placement is available, it will also be listed.
Is there a cost to the parent/guardian for their child to attend the District-sponsored Pre-K program?
This is a tuition-free program. These Pre-K options will be funded by state and federal funding.
More Information:
Please contact Mrs. Maggie Andriello at mandriello@brewsterschools.org, Mrs. Alicia Balzano at abalzano@brewsterschools.org, or 845-279-8000 (Ext. 6122). For Spanish-speaking assistance, please contact Ms. Mai Solores at msolores@brewsterschools.org or 845-279-5051 (Ext. 1321).
