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UCNS Application Form

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UCNS logo

UCNS is open from September through June.  Our calendar follows closely, although not exactly, the Ithaca City and Lansing Central school district calendars. Children may enroll 5 days a week (Monday-Friday), 3 days a week (Monday-Wednesday-Friday), or 2 days a week (Tuesday-Thursday.)

UCNS enrolls children who are 3 to 5 years old. The diversity of the greater Ithaca area is reflected in the UCNS community. Children come from all types of families and represent a variety of economic, racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Our school also enrolls children with special needs. Our foremost goal is to support the children enrolled at UCNS along with their families.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten At UCNS

UCNS is a community-based Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) site through the Ithaca City school district. Students who are eligible for UPK receive additional screenings and assessments throughout the year and our teachers attend monthly trainings, which benefit all families. In order to be eligible for UPK, students must be 4 years old by December 1, enroll 5 days at UCNS, and live within the Ithaca City School District. UPK families may be eligible to receive a tuition discount.

2018 - 2019 Monthly Tuition

We feel strongly that all families should be able to afford to send their children to UCNS. Our tuition is calculated on a sliding scale based on your family's income and the number of days your child is enrolled. Tuition rates are reviewed annually by the UCNS Board.

FAMILY INCOME 2 Days/Wk (Tu-Th) 3 Days/Wk (M/W/F) 5 Days/Wk (M-F)

<$25,000 $111 $160 $254

$25,000 - $40,000 $127 $183 $294

$40,001 - $55,000 $147 $214 $344

$55,001 - $70,000 $158 $232 $379

$70,001 - $85,000 $177 $258 $421

$85,001 - $100,000 $192 $283 $464

Over $100,000 $210 $308 $505

Priority Enrollment

Some families are eligible to apply for priority enrollment:

  • Families with returning students

  • Siblings of current or former UCNS students

  • Families affiliated with Cornell University (the school’s land and building are owned by Cornell)

Families eligible for priority enrollment are asked to submit applications by February 1 and will be notified of their child’s enrollment status at UCNS by March 1.

Timeline

While we accept applications anytime, enrollment for the fall begins in January and school visits begin in February.

  • Families eligible for priority enrollment (returning students, alumni siblings and Cornell affiliated families) should submit applications for their children by February 1, our priority enrollment deadline. You will be notified of your child’s enrollment status at UCNS by March 1.

  • All other applications, including children not eligible for priority enrollment, should be submitted by March 15, our second enrollment deadline. You will be notified of your child’s enrollment status by April 1.

  • If spots are not available for all applicants, children will be placed on a waiting list.

  • Applications will be processed on a rolling admissions basis after April 1.

Enrollment Criteria

Note: Children must be at least 3 years old by December 1 in order to enroll at UCNS.

To apply for enrollment for your child, please submit:

  1. An application form (apply online below, or download a paper application and mail it to UCNS)

  2. A copy of your child's birth certificate or passport (scan and email or snail mail). Mail can be sent to: UCNS Inc. (Attn: Registrar), 59 Dart Drive, Ithaca. NY 14850.

  3. A non-refundable $25 enrollment fee. This fee is required for all new and returning families and covers administrative expenses.

    Note: Submitted applications will not be considered complete until the proof of birth date and application fee are received.

    Note: Before your child begins attending school, your child's US licensed physician must fill out and send us the medical form that we provide in the registration packet you will receive during the summer. A copy of your child's immunization records is also required for attendance.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD/PRINT CURRENT APPLICATION

Application Form

To apply, please complete the form below:

Child's Name *
Child's Name
Child's Nickname
Child's Nickname
Child's Birth Date *
Child's Birth Date
Child's Gender *
Applying For *
Please select one:
Please indicate your FIRST enrollment preference: *
All sessions are MORNINGS 8:45 - 11:45 am
Please indicate your SECOND enrollment preference: *
All sessions are MORNINGS 8:45 - 11:45 am
Status *
Please check all that apply:
Please include street address, city, state and zip code.
Parent/Guardian 1- Name *
Parent/Guardian 1- Name
Parent/Guardian 1 - Phone *
Parent/Guardian 1 - Phone
Parent/Guardian 2 - Name
Parent/Guardian 2 - Name
Parent/Guardian 2 - Phone
Parent/Guardian 2 - Phone
Does your child understand English? *
Does your child speak English? *
Cornell Affiliation
Please indicate parent/guardian affiliation with Cornell University, if any. Cornell affiliated families receive priority enrollment, however affiliation with Cornell is not required to enroll at UCNS.
Parent/Guardian 1 - Cornell affiliation *
Please check all that apply
If parent/guardian 1 is affiliated with Cornell University, please enter his/her Cornell NETID and/or Employee ID. If not affiliated, please enter NONE.
Parent/Guardian 2 - Cornell affiliation
Please check all that apply
If parent/guardian 2 is affiliated with Cornell University, please enter his/her Cornell NETID and/or Employee ID. If not affiliated, please enter NONE.
How did you hear about UCNS? *
Please check all that apply