City Of Boston: Boston Universal Pre-K Accepting Applications For 2021-2022 School Year

Press release from the City of Boston:

July 22, 2021

Boston Universal Pre-K (Boston UPK), an initiative of the Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the City of Boston, has opened applications for prekindergarten seats in community-based settings for the 2021-2022 school year. Prekindergarten (pre-k), also known as K1, is offered in the City of Boston at no cost to families. Eligible students must be Boston residents and turn four years old on or before September 1, 2021. Three-year-old students in the new, limited pilot program in community-based settings must turn three years old on or before September 1, 2021.  

“The Boston UPK program provides a high-quality preschool education for every 4-year-old in the city, preparing students at an early age for school and in life through developing routines, building social, emotional, and critical thinking skills,” said Boston Mayor Kim Janey. “The expansion to include 3-year-olds is one piece of closing the opportunity gap in Boston, helping families who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic by allowing our students to start their learning journey even earlier.” 

In 2020, the Boston School Committee approved a Connector system to ensure continuity of the kindergarten experience for students in Universal Pre-K in community-based organizations transitioning to kindergarten within BPS. In 2021, Boston Mayor Kim Janey approved expansion of Boston Universal Pre-K to allow a limited pilot program for 3-year-olds to provide relief to families most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This press release was produced by the City of Boston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.