Hartford Central School District has announced an expansion of its Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program that will provide more learning time for the district’s youngest students.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Hartford’s UPK program will move to a full-day (5-hour) program for all enrolled students. The change reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to strengthening early childhood education and ensuring students enter kindergarten with a strong foundation.

Superintendent Andrew Cook shared the update with families and community members in a letter released on March 10.

A full-day program will give students additional time for play-based learning, social development, and early literacy and numeracy activities. District leaders say the added time will allow teachers to expand enrichment opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and classroom routines that help young learners prepare for kindergarten.

Families can expect the same supportive and engaging environment that the Hartford UPK program is known for, now with more time for exploration, creativity, and skill-building throughout the day.

Additional details about the transition, including daily hours and program scheduling, will be shared with families in the coming months.

Community members can read the full letter from Superintendent Cook on the district website.

For questions, families may contact the district office at 518-632-5222.