Boston’s Quality Pre-K Model
A high-quality early education experience for every four-year-old in every neighborhood in Boston
Program Overview
In Boston, we have Universal Pre-kindergarten (UPK), which is a mixed delivery portfolio of programs funded by the City of Boston offering high-quality choices for children ages three and four living in the city at no cost to families. UPK is a 6.5-hour school day for 180 days per year.
Pre-kindergarten prepares children for school with a strong foundation for learning now. The Boston UPK program is one of the strongest in the nation. Research shows children who attend are more prepared for kindergarten in the areas of early math, reading, and social-emotional development.
The preschool program is a 6.5-hour school day at either a BPS school or a community-based provider. In the 2023-24 school year, Boston UPK will also expand to include family child care settings.
If you are a parent or caregiver looking to enroll your child in pre-k, please visit bostonpublicschools.org/upk for more information and to apply.
If you are an early education provider interested in becoming a UPK-funded provider in Boston, see the News section below on the application currently open through the City of Boston.
What does high-quality pre-k mean?
The Boston Public Schools program exceeds national standards. High-quality programs include:
All pre-k teachers have a degree in early childhood education and are prepared to teach in classroom settings to support students of all backgrounds and needs.
Students learn from the Boston Public Schools Focus on Pre-K/Focus on 3s Curriculum and Building Blocks Curriculum, which are national models in early childhood education. The Focus on Early Learning series is a nationally recognized curricula developed by Boston Public Schools.
Teachers receive ongoing professional development throughout the year to enhance their teaching.
BPS coaches provide ongoing support to teachers in community providers.
All classroom environments are age appropriate and culturally responsive.
Small classrooms with 2 educators for 20 students.
Community-based providers are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Each community-based provider has a Family Engagement Coordinator available to provide support to families to meet their individual needs.
Why is pre-k important for your child?
Research shows that children who attended the BPS pre-k program continue to outperform students who did not attend and have long-term academic achievement.
Students in our program will work toward becoming well-rounded students better prepared for school and life through:
Play-centered learning in small classrooms
Developing routines and become comfortable with classroom structures
Building positive relationships with other children and teachers
Building social, emotional, critical thinking, math and reading skills
Working independently and in groups to explore new ideas, question concepts and share their feelings. becoming well-rounded students better prepared for school and life
To view a historical timeline showing the history of pre-k in Boston, click here.
News
Boston Universal Pre-K Application for Funding for 2023-2024
(Updated June 5, 2023) The Invitations for Bids (IFBs) seeking early education providers for the 2023-24 school year are now closed.
The application deadline was April 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Provider organizations who applied have now received notification with a decision on UPK funding.
If you have questions on the annual process to apply to receive UPK funding, contact Boston UPK Director TeeAra Dias at tdias@bostonpublicschools.org or 617-635-1507.
New Website for Boston Early Childhood Research Practice Partnership
(January 2023) The Boston Early Childhood Research Practice Partnership (RPP) has launched a new website. The RPP began in 2007 and includes practitioners from Boston Public Schools and researchers from the University of Michigan, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and MDRC. Together, the team uses data and research to improve early educational experiences and outcomes for young children in Boston and beyond.
The RPP team recently launched a new website to share its work. You can explore past and current research studies and all associated publications. Boston UPK community providers are critical partners in this ongoing work Boston UPK Study, which is part of the RPP.
Year in Review 2021-22 now available
(October 2022) The Boston Universal Pre-K Year in Review for School Year 2021-22 (Fiscal Year 2022) is now available. Learn about enrollment growth and continued expansion of Boston Universal Pre-K in the Year in Review, which can be found here.
UPK Study Team Releases Report on Effects of COVID in Boston UPK Community Centers
(March 2021) The Universal Pre-K Study team, which includes Boston Public Schools, University of Michigan, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and MDRC recently released a research brief describing the initial impact of COVID on Boston UPK community centers. The UPK Study team is tracking the implementation and expansion of UPK in Boston.
The team used administrative data to assess staff turnover rates, child enrollment, and changes in practices to increase safety. The team found that the pandemic impacted the retention of teachers and directors, decreased child enrollment, and forced centers to make significant operational adaptations - many with additional direct costs. Due to the continued financial support these centers received throughout the pandemic from Boston UPK and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care - regardless of enrollment - these findings are considered a “best case scenario” for the early childhood field.
The ongoing UPK Study is funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation and the Foundation for Child Development. You can read the recent brief on the University of Michigan website here.
Governance of Boston UPK
The governance of Boston UPK includes the Mayor of Boston, Boston Public Schools Superintendent, the Boston School Committee, the UPK Advisory Committee, the leadership of UPK-funded community-based organizations, and the Family Council. Boston Public Schools is the lead agent in administering the Boston UPK program. Program and policy changes are approved by the Mayor of Boston, BPS Superintendent, and the Boston School Committee.
Advisory Committee
Under the guidance of the Mayor of Boston and the Boston Public Schools Superintendent, the active decision-making body is the Boston UPK Advisory Committee. The Committee comprises a number of invested stakeholders in the early childhood education field in the region and includes leaders in philanthropy, business, higher education, health and human services, the City of Boston, and Boston School Committee, and representatives from current UPK partner organizations. Click here to view the current UPK Advisory Committee.
Governance Support
Administrative leadership of the UPK-funded providers comprise a Leadership Committee to work through program and process changes. To view all UPK providers represented, click here. The Early Childhood Family Council convenes caregivers of UPK students in order to engage families with BPS and to receive feedback on early childhood curriculum and program components. The Steering Committee members of the 2022-23 Family Council are listed here.
Boston UPK receives ongoing support from other BPS offices including Welcome Services, Countdown to Kindergarten, Special Education, Related Services, and Behavioral Health Services.
Enrollment Information
UPK Registration
Parents and caregivers or those looking for enrollment information should visit the Boston Public Schools UPK website bostonpublicschools.org/upk for details on registration.
Contact us!
You can contact the UPK enrollment team with program questions or to be directed to the appropriate party:
Email: upk@bostonpublicschools.org
Phone: 617-635-1507