Hello West Islip Families,

At last week’s Board of Education meeting, the decision was made to host our entire full-day Pre-Kindergarten Program with the South Shore Children’s Center of West Islip for the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, it was determined that our enrollment will be capped to match our allocated grant funding for Pre-Kindergarten. The total amount of students that we currently receive funding for is 213. With the upcoming year being a transition year, and South Shore being able to accommodate this request, the program will be capped slightly higher, at 224 students, for the 2025-26 school year only. In subsequent years, the program will be capped at the number of students covered in the UPK grant (currently 213) from the New York State Education Department.

The Pre-Kindergarten Lottery for the 2025-2026 school year will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. The first 224 students to be selected will be placed at the South Shore Children's Center of West Islip. Any students selected above the capped amount will be placed on a wait list for the program should spots become available. A link to view the lottery live will be posted to the homepage of the District website next week. Additional information in regard to the Pre-Kindergarten Lottery will be provided as it becomes available.

All the best,
Paul Romanelli
Superintendent of Schools

Date Added: 1/13/2025