Atrea Early Learning Center

Welcome to the Atrea Early Learning Center, our new school opening in the fall of 2026 for all five-year-old students entering Kindergarten at Shen! Located at 5 Maxwell Drive in Clifton Park, our full-day kindergarten program is designed to be a warm, welcoming and accepting play-based learning environment for our youngest students, where all feel loved, respected and encouraged. We are committed to providing equal opportunities, maintaining our high standards of learning and ensuring accessibility, to support every young learner’s success. 

Our kindergarten programs and services include:

• Communication, language and literacy instruction
• Learning in math, science, social studies, music and visual art
• Physical development and health
• Nutrition services
• Library and technology
• Academic Intervention Services
• Speech and Language Services
• Social skills and character development
• Special education services

Kindergarten Registration

Shen will offer full-day kindergarten for the first time in the fall of 2026 in our brand-new, state-of-the-art Atrea Early Learning Center. Families whose children will be five by December 1, 2026, are encouraged to enroll! Kindergarten registration for the 2026-27 school year opens on December 1, 2025. Registration is completed online, and in-person screenings occur in January and February.

Register your child for kindergarten 

Start & End Times

The school day will run from 8:20 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Transportation will be provided to and from the student’s primary residence. For families who need extended care, the YMCA will offer fee-based before-school care starting at 7 a.m. at Kidz Lodge and after-school care from 2:15 to 6 p.m. right at Atrea.

Estimated Construction Schedule (subject to change)

• June to July 2025: Continue subgrade and drainage for the playground, physical education, and parking areas. The playground is located along the western property line. It will have standard playground equipment (slides, swings, etc.). The surface will be asphalt and a synthetic cushioned surface under the equipment with underground drainage. The physical education area runs parallel to the north property line. It will have a synthetic turf surface with underground drainage. The surface starts at the west end and extends to the midway point of the building towards the east. A small parking area along the north property line will be constructed at the east end of the building. The main parking will be to the east and southeast of the building. A new bus loop will be constructed at the front of the building, and a parent drop-off will be constructed at the east end. There will be stairs and ramps on the north and west sides of the building.
• Aug. to Nov. 2025: Install final grades, begin installation of playground equipment, and pave rear parking and play area. Remove existing A/C unit. Begin installation of an 8 ft perimeter fence with privacy screen slats. This will continue along the north and west property line and is set approximately 12 to 15 feet into the school property
• Dec. to March 2026 (weather depending): Complete fencing and final grading, prepare for final spring work.
• April to Sept 2026: Final grading and seeding, finish paving and pavement striping.
• September 2026: Students occupy the building.

Building History

On Dec. 20, 2022, the Board of Education acted on a resolution to accept the donation of 5 Maxwell Drive, and the district closed on the transfer of ownership on Dec. 29, 2022. The cost for the reconstruction of the facility to transform it into a school and school-related purposes was approved by voters on May 16, 2023. Once completed, 5 Maxwell Drive will host:

• 40 classrooms for full-day Kindergarten.
• Ancillary special education, academic supports (ENL/AIS) and elective courses classrooms.
• Spaces for PE, Music, Art, and Library, kitchen/cafeteria, and various administrative functions.
• Spaces for certain specialized Life Skills Programs.
• District offices

The centralization of Kindergarten in the new facility frees up at 2-3 classrooms in each elementary school, opening desperately needed space for grades 1-5.

The building will also consolidate district level operations, and support needs, including, but not limited to: Information Management Services, professional development, purchasing, warehouses and storage. Space at 5 Maxwell Drive also addresses a shortage of warehouse spaces, and yields increased efficiency due to proximity with business and financial services.