A community of learners, their families, and educators, working together to help children build the skills needed for life and learning.

At Albany County School District, we value the importance of early experiences for young children and know that access to high-quality early education can create the necessary foundation for future learning and development. Beginning the 2026-2027 school year, ACSD#1 is expanding the preschool program, now offering classes at Indian Paintbrush Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, and will continue to host programs at Linford Elementary, and Slade Elementary.

Monday-Friday 8AM-1PM

Pick-up: 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM (Pick-up during this time is a requirement, ACSD#1 will not be offering transportation services for the preschool program at this time)

Preschool classes will follow the ACSD#1 calendar starting on August 25, 2026 and ending June 3, 2027, including holidays and elementary early release days.

• Children must be 4 years old by August 1, 2025 (with the intent to enroll in kindergarten next year)

• They must be fully potty-trained. Please note: This means they practice independence in the restroom and are able to zip/button and unzip/unbutton their clothing, clean themselves properly, and wash their hands.

• Provide a Birth Certificate and Immunization Record

• Children must be dropped off and picked up at the preschool classroom by their guardian or other designated family member within 15 minutes of start and end times.

Due to the expansion of the ACSD#1 preschool program, enrollment is capped at 14 students per preschool classroom with priority given to students with Title 1 qualifications. To ensure priority enrollment we will be hosting two enrollment phases for the 2026-2027 school year.

Students who meet Title 1 criteria are eligible and encouraged to apply for preschool during Phase 1 enrollment.  Students who apply will be required to attend the preschool housed in their neighborhood school.

Title 1 Qualifying criteria:

• Student is an English Language Learner (ELL).

• Student has an active 504 plan, IEP, or IFSP.

• Student has previously failed a developmental screener.

• Student has participated in a Head Start Program.

*Students must also meet the program requirements outlined above.

How to Apply

1. Fill out the priority enrollment application, due by July 24, 2026

   • ACSD#1 Preschool Application

2. If your child is selected to participate in the ACSD#1 preschool program you will receive a notification by July 30, 2026.

3. Selected participants can then register following the directions provided in the notification.

Priority enrollment is only granted to Title 1 qualifying students. Applications submitted by non-qualifying families will not be placed on a waitlist for phase 2 enrollment. Non-qualifying families can only enroll their student during the open enrollment phase when it begins on August 10th.

Following Phase 1 enrollment, remaining spots will be available to any child residing in the neighborhood schools boundary area. Students attending preschool will not be granted a boundary exception unless an older sibling currently attends an elementary school outside their neighborhood school. Program spots will be given on a first come first serve basis and will remain open until classrooms are filled.

Enrollment Process:

1. Determine your neighborhood school by using our interactive school boundary map.

2. Once you determine your neighborhood school please stop into the schools office during the enrollment times, beginning August 10th, Monday-Friday, 8AM-2PM.

3. As a reminder, enrollment is first come first serve, one classroom spots are no longer available you may select to be added to a wait list.

Phase 2 enrollment ends once all classrooms are filled, if spots remain open, students may join the program anytime throughout the course of the school year.