Universal Preschool Program (UPK)

Next school year, all 4-year-olds will qualify for 15 hours of free preschool a week in the year before they start kindergarten.  Youth must turn 4 by October 1, 2023.  We will offer the following options for 4-year-olds.  These half-day classes qualify for the UPK funding.  Families must complete the initial registration process through the state portal to match with the City of Thornton Preschool Program.  We will work with families to complete our internal registration process once they are matched with our program.

3-year-olds who meet specific qualifying criteria may qualify to receive 10 hours of free preschool per week.  We are working with our school districts to offer 3-year-old UPK spots.  Additionally, families are able to register and self-pay for youth who are 3-years-old and do not turn 4 by the October 1, 2023 deadline.  We will offer the following 3-year-old option. Registration for this class will begin in March with request forms (families paying tuition) and in the UPK state system (families with qualifying factors).

More information on Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK), including frequently asked questions and family login, can be found at https://cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-universal-preschool.

UPK Colorado Family login and application is scheduled to begin January 17, 2023. *subject to change

A family application demo can be found at https://www.loom.com/share/531803065f4e4209982264624f4bd1ff.