DoDEA Pacific prepares classrooms for Universal Prekindergarten

Classrooms are currently being outfitted across DoDEA Pacific in preparation for Phase 1 implementation of the agency’s Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) program. 

Every elementary school in the Pacific Region will offer UPK during the 2024-25 school year, with registration open for eligible military-connected students turning 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024.

“Universal Prekindergarten will be an asset to every military-connected community we serve,” said Ms. Lois Rapp, DoDEA Pacific Director for Student Excellence. “UPK classrooms will be safe spaces that foster a love for learning in our youngest students through age-appropriate, play-based curriculum and instruction.” 

This summer, the DoDEA Pacific logistics team has been busy preparing 74 classrooms in Guam, Korea, mainland Japan, and Okinawa to welcome UPK students in the fall. 

Each UPK classroom contains approximately 37,000 items, including furniture, curricular materials, and kitchen utensils to support family-style dining. 

To learn more about UPK, visit dodea.edu/upk.