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Pre-K Registration

  • Registration Hotline
    585-262-8140 | PreK@rcsdk12.org
    Apply Online Now

    Your child is eligible for RCSD Pre-K this September if:

    • Your family resides in the City of Rochester AND
    • Your child turns 3 or 4 by December 1 of the school year for which you are registering.

    Applications for all Pre-K programs located in RCSD schools and partnered community agencies are processed by the Pre-K placement team. If you are interested in having your child attend a Head Start program, please contact the agency directly to apply. Applications received by the lottery deadline (april 25, 2025) have the best chance for placement in preferred programs. After the lottery deadline, the remaining seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you need assistance with the application process, please email prek@rcsdk12.org, call 585-262-8140, or visit us at 131 W Broad St, 14614. Our staff is ready to assist you with the registration process by phone or email, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Apply for RCSD PreK

  • Residents of the city of Rochester with a child who is 3- or 4-years-old by December 1 of the current year can apply for free Pre-K classes starting in September 2025. The application process is fully online and can be accessed from your mobile device or computer.  If you need direct assistance, please call 585-262-8140 or email us at prek@rcsdk12.org.

     

    Need assistance with the application process? No problem!

    585-262-8140 | PreK@rcsdk12.org | In-person support at 131 West Broad Street, 1st floor (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

    Pre-Kindergarten Annual Lottery
    Each spring, the RCSD Early Childhood Department holds a lottery for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds who have applied for program seats, based on the choices on your application. We will inform you of your child's assigned program in June. If you do not get your first choice of school, your child will be placed on a waiting list according to the lottery number. The lottery for the 2025-26 school year is open from December 6, 2024, through April 25, 2025. Following the lottery, seats are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. If classes are filled, your child can be put on additional waiting lists. Please contact us today for registration support.

    What should I expect from a Pre-K class?

    • Your child will spend 6 hours in a Pre-K program.
    • Many Community Partners offer extended days, wrap-around care and/or transportation.
    • Curriculum is aligned to NYS Pre-Kindergarten Next Generation Standards and ensures continuity with elementary grades.
    • Activities are learner-centered and promote a child's growth and development.
    • There are NYS-certified teachers in both school and community sites.

    When is Pre-K offered?

    • Monday through Friday, six-hour full-day programs.
    • 180 days during the school year
    • Follows the RCSD school calendar with a few exceptions

    Where is Pre-K offered?
    Pre-K is offered at schools as well as in community-based organizations throughout the city of Rochester. Explore 2025-26 locations >
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