How to Register:

The registration process for UPK is simple. Visit www.ktufsd.org/register, complete the online registration process, and upload photos/scans of your required documents.

Click here for more information on registration.

Ken-Ton School District Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program
Hamilton Elementary School
44 Westfall Drive
Tonawanda, NY 14150
716-874-8419

LeeAnn McEwen
Program Director

About the Ken-Ton UPK Program:

The Ken-Ton School District is proud to offer one of the region's best Universal Pre-Kindergarten Programs housed at Hamilton Elementary School. This is a free full-day program available to all Ken-Ton School District families.

Ken-Ton was among the very first districts in WNY to offer free full-day UPK beginning with the 2021-22 school year. This program is located at the beautiful newly renovated Hamilton Elementary School campus, which is located on the corner of Glenalby Road and West Fall Drive and features a beautiful brand new playground facility. The program is operated by the Ken-Ton YMCA under the direction of the Ken-Ton School District Department of Elementary Education. Before/after-school childcare and breakfast/lunch is available at a cost.

Please note that transportation is not able to be provided for UPK students and must be arranged by families.

UPK Instruction:

The quality of Ken-Ton's early childhood education programming is unmatched and Hamilton Elementary is known for its outstanding offerings as well as its dedicated and caring staff. The traditional classroom-based UPK framework is designed to introduce academics and enhance socialization, physical activity, communication, and creative thinking while preparing your child for success in kindergarten and beyond. The developmentally appropriate curriculum meets all NYS Universal Pre-Kindergarten standards. Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, our UPK program will feature two incredible new resources to enhance your child's learning experience: Amplify CKLA and Eureka Math2.

• Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts): A research-based literacy program that focuses on developing strong reading, writing, and listening skills. CKLA engages children in interactive, storytelling-based lessons that help build vocabulary, comprehension, and early reading skills. This program is designed to make learning fun and meaningful, with a focus on high-quality texts, hands-on activities, and building a love of reading from an early age.
• Great Minds Eureka Math2: An innovative, hands-on math curriculum that supports our youngest learners in building a strong foundation in mathematics. Eureka Math2 encourages children to explore early numeracy concepts and skills through student-centered activities that infuse play, language, tools, and real-world connections to mathematics. These rich and dynamic mathematics learning experiences capitalize on the energy and excitement of our youngest learners.

Important Registration Information:

Only students who are eligible for UPK per NYS requirements may register for the program. This means a student must be 4 years of age on or before December 1st of the school year they intend to register for (for example, to be eligible for the 2025-26 school year, a child must be 4 years of age on or before December 1st, 2025). UPK registration typically begins in March for the upcoming school year.

It is important to note that this program is supported by the NYS Universal Pre-Kindergarten Grant and the availability of seats is based on this funding. If more children apply than there are available seats, the district will hold a lottery. Although a lottery has not been necessary in recent years, that could change at any time based on funding.

Visit www.ktufsd.org/CentralRegistration for UPK information.