CCSD Announces Expansion Plans For Pre-K

The Camden Central School District is pleased to announce an expansion of its Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2026-27 school year. Thanks to an increase in funding from the New York State Universal Pre-K grant, the District is adding an additional full-day section of Pre-K and will offer four full-day sections of Universal Pre-K for the 2026-27 school year.

This expansion is fully funded by the Universal Pre-K Grant, ensuring that there is no additional cost to our local taxpayers. 

As part of this transition, the District will pivot entirely to a full-day Pre-K program. A full-day schedule provides greater consistency in daily scheduling, increases opportunities for social-emotional and academic growth, and strengthens kindergarten readiness. A half-day option will no longer be offered. 

To help serve our families more effectively, Pre-K classrooms will be housed in both elementary schools for the 2026-27 academic year. Two classrooms will be housed at Camden Elementary, and two will remain at McConnellsville Elementary School, and will be assigned primarily by the catchment area a student resides in, subject to capacity.

Each Pre-K classroom is limited by state regulations to 18 students. Because the number of registered students from the Camden Elementary School catchment area exceeds the 36-student capacity for those two rooms, students have been placed in the CES classrooms on a first-come, first-serve basis based on date registered. All remaining CES-area students have been placed at McConnellsville. Transportation will be provided for all students, including a shuttle for the CES-area students attending at McConnellsville. 

A letter was sent home to registered families detailing the changes, along with their building assignment. Teacher assignments will be communicated in August.

We are excited to continue providing a high-quality, full-day early childhood education to our youngest learners.

Any questions about the Universal Pre-K program can be directed to Pre-K coordinator Kathy Zangrilli at 315-245-3412 and kzangrilli@camdencsd.org.