Education
Prekindergarten Participation

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Source: New York State Education Department

What does this measure?

The number of children eligible for kindergarten in the following school year who are enrolled in publicly funded prekindergarten programs, expressed as a percentage of all 4-year-olds.

Why is this important?

Early emphasis on reading and social skills prepares children to succeed later in their education.

How is our region performing?

In 2021, 41% of our region's 4-year-olds were enrolled in prekindergarten programs, up from 39% in 2011 and similar to the state rate of 45%. Since 2011, each county in the region has had an overall increase in their prekindergarten participation rate, with the highest increases in Livingston and Wyoming (up 19 and 24 points respectively). The highest rates in 2021 were in Orleans and Genesee (59% and 55% respectively), and the lowest rate was in Yates at 29%.

The Rochester City School District had a participation rate of 62% in 2021. Geneva School District reached a participation rate of 68% (with slightly over 100 4-year-olds enrolled, compared to Rochester's 1,700).

Notes about the data

Due to changes in the source of the data, results from 2017 onward may differ slightly from previous years. Prekindergarten enrollment through 2016 is as reported in New York State Education Department's (NYSED) School Report Card database. Enrollment for 2017 and onwards is provided by the NYSED's Office of Early Learning. New York State did not provide comparable data for 2013. Figures reflect children in free prekindergarten programs provided by school districts or community organizations; they do not include children attending private preschool or federally funded Head Start. In 1997, New York State enacted a law providing public support for prekindergarten, effective 1998.

Prekindergarten Participation
2011201220142015201620172018201920202021
NYS31%31%44%48%52%52%52%53%53%45%
NYS (excluding NYC)37%37%36%37%38%25%25%25%27%22%
Region39%41%39%42%44%45%45%45%58%41%
Monroe36%37%35%39%41%41%41%41%57%37%
Surrounding Counties45%47%45%47%49%51%52%53%61%49%
Genesee55%60%55%54%57%61%62%56%64%55%
Livingston29%35%28%35%32%35%40%44%57%48%
Ontario46%49%49%52%47%54%51%55%58%49%
Orleans68%60%63%61%78%56%68%63%73%59%
Seneca37%40%26%32%41%46%37%43%48%36%
Wayne53%52%55%56%58%60%68%64%77%54%
Wyoming14%31%23%26%32%27%29%27%39%39%
Yates31%34%45%33%44%41%33%42%53%29%
Monroe County School Districts
Rochester School District66%67%66%72%75%73%74%67%100%62%
Brighton Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
Brockport Central School District48%48%39%37%44%47%39%53%53%52%
Churchville-Chili Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
East Irondequoit Central School District30%29%32%32%37%41%41%43%37%24%
East Rochester Union Free School District,74%53%61%52%50%60%51%45%44%37%
Fairport Central School District0%0%0%8%9%8%9%8%9%17%
Gates-Chili Central School District0%12%0%30%37%43%49%81%50%38%
Greece Central School District48%50%45%45%47%46%47%47%49%42%
Hilton Central School District29%30%30%30%35%34%35%40%37%30%
Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District21%16%17%17%16%17%16%17%17%17%
West Irondequoit Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
Penfield Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
Pittsford Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
Rush-Henrietta Central School District43%43%43%43%45%44%45%44%46%48%
Spencerport Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%
Webster Central School District19%19%19%19%20%23%24%23%25%26%
Wheatland-Chili Central School District0%0%0%0%0%0%0%0%29%49%
Regional City School Districts
Batavia School District55%56%57%50%52%53%66%50%58%58%
Canandaigua School District36%39%40%40%41%44%37%45%43%44%
Geneva School District73%69%60%70%63%100%100%100%100%68%

Source: New York State Education Department
Notes: Figures reflect percentage of 4-year-olds in free prekindergarten programs provided by school districts or community organizations. NYS did not provide comparable data for 2013.




Number of Students in Prekindergarten
2011201220142015201620172018201920202021
NYS71,60270,648101,253112,578119,555119,459117,851121,610119,002102,362
NYS (excluding NYC)49,10048,58645,62847,03448,12548,18047,79448,77751,74341,122
Region5,5905,6745,3985,7165,8625,9405,9646,0417,5755,322
Monroe3,1963,2053,0703,3613,4163,4653,4583,4724,6323,038
Surrounding Counties2,3942,4692,3282,3552,4462,4752,5062,5692,9432,284
Genesee379413367355342391370368373324
Livingston192219183205198201219239323260
Ontario597575547598575606629631682553
Orleans325278281286295229291279311240
Seneca139160103115163160143166161121
Wayne598592605590607649639660779548
Wyoming6212699108122108120108156146
Yates102106143981441319511815892
Monroe County School Districts
Rochester School District1,9811,9881,9412,1232,1242,1032,1031,9503,2301,731
Brighton Central School District0000000000
Brockport Central School District131131107101114124101142136133
Churchville-Chili Central School District0000000000
East Irondequoit Central School District85818888981121101189862
East Rochester Union Free School District,88627261566958524941
Fairport Central School District00036363636363672
Gates-Chili Central School District036090108126142242143108
Greece Central School District431439393393399393400405407354
Hilton Central School District9898989811011011012911594
Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District39272828282828282828
West Irondequoit Central School District0000000000
Penfield Central School District0000000000
Pittsford Central School District0000000000
Rush-Henrietta Central School District216216216216216216216216216226
Spencerport Central School District0000000000
Webster Central School District127127127127127148154154160165
Wheatland-Chili Central School District000000001424
Regional City School Districts
Batavia School District123124122105101108128106109109
Canandaigua School District108108105106117114106120118116
Geneva School District13111394113107165183183173107

Source: New York State Education Department
Notes: Figures reflect 4-year-olds in free prekindergarten programs provided by school districts or community organizations. NYS did not provide comparable data for 2013.











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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