The Waterford Upstart program launches preschool aged students into learning.
Parents across Alpine School District now have access to Waterford UPSTART, a free, at-home early learning program funded by the State of Utah and designed for children the year before kindergarten. Open enrollment for the upcoming school year runs through October, giving families a defined window to register as they prepare for the transition into school. The program offers adaptive lessons in reading, math, and science to help children build a strong foundation for learning.
“UPSTART helps kids as they enter kindergarten and sticks with them throughout their learning journey,” said Crystal Pryor, a marketing representative with Waterford UPSTART. “We are committed to preparing kids for the upcoming school year, from hosting outreach events, providing academic coaching, and in many cases, providing families a computer for use throughout the program.”
Waterford UPSTART operates through the full school year, with progress assessments in the summer. Children complete 15–20 minutes of learning a day, five days a week. The program adapts to each learner, offering lessons that match a child’s pace and skill level.
According to Waterford, 97% of families recommend the program, and the typical student advances more than a year beyond expected growth.
“I have loved using Waterford UPSTART materials in my classroom over the years. Several of my students recognize the materials from their home workbook and are ready to engage in the activities!” said Traverse Mountain Preschool teacher Maquel Corbett.
Teachers throughout ASD report observable differences in kindergarten readiness. She added that one student returned from winter break “with a new confidence,” jumping from four letter names to 17 in just three weeks after using UPSTART at home.
Greenwood Elementary Preschool teacher Sherel Kregse said she sees clear readiness gains in children who participate. “I can honestly tell which kiddos do Upstart and which ones don't,” she shared. “I’m usually right when I ask parents during parent teacher conferences. It's a great program.” She noted that even during remote learning years, families who used UPSTART were able to keep children on track with preschool expectations.
District administrators see the same patterns. Heather Slaymaker, District Administrator Over Preschool Education Services, said, “Through my work with preschool and kindergarten teachers, I have consistently seen that students who complete Waterford Upstart…enter kindergarten with stronger early literacy skills, including letter recognition and phonemic awareness. We also notice increased confidence and independence.” She emphasized that UPSTART strengthens the partnership between school and home and helps parents take an active role in early learning.
Families across ASD echo this experience. One parent shared, “We have loved the Upstart program! We do it 5 days a week and my son has grown so much as a reader this school year…Our early childhood students need all the support they can get to be prepared for full-day kindergarten and that includes Upstart.” Another parent noted, “My child loved to do Upstart in addition to Preschool…We liked that it was 5 days a week.”
Waterford UPSTART supports the district’s commitment to student-centered experiences and strong partnerships with parents. Families can learn more or register during the open enrollment window at https://www.waterford.org/upstart/.