Welcome to the Petaluma City Schools
Kindergarten Registration
Kinder – Prep Registration

Kindergarten and our new Kinder - Prep program registration begins January 23, 2012 at your district school of residence. Kinder - Prep is a two-year kindergarten program designed to give our youngest five years olds a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. Enrollment in Kindergarten is open to children who turn five by November 1, 2012 and registration for Kinder - Prep is open for children who turn five by December 31, 2012. Children whose fifth birthday falls between September 2 and November 1, 2012 have top priority for the Kinder – Prep program.

Our New Kinder - Prep Program:

  • Is part of the public school system and is free for families
  • Uses a unique, specialized curriculum that is based on the kindergarten standards and is designed to support young 5 year olds
  • Is taught by credentialed teachers with training to teach young kindergarteners
  • Helps children develop socially and academically

What Happens in a Kinder - Prep Classroom?

In Kinder - Prep teachers help children develop social skills through activities that build confidence and communication. They also expose children to reading and math in an exciting, interactive way by using educational games to teach children about words and sentences and help them understand mathematical concepts like counting and patterns.

  • Classroom facility and teacher: Kinder – Prep kindergarteners have their own classroom with their own teacher.
  • Length of school day: They go to school every day for 3 hours.
  • Shared activities: They participate in all developmentally appropriate kindergarten activities such as music and art throughout the year.
  • Curriculum and learning: They learn important new skills like working with others, phonemic awareness, and language development that build on what they may have learned in preschool and help them adjust to the elementary school environment.
  • Learning environment: They learn by working with the teacher in small and large groups and also have opportunities for independent exploration.

Why is Kinder – Prep Good for Kids?

Kinder – Prep provides children with an opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging environment that nurtures their growth. Research shows that children who attend kindergarten readiness programs like Kinder – Prep are more likely to do well in school and attend college.

Parents all over California recognize the benefits of Kinder – Prep and many parents have already been enrolling their children in similar programs, public and private, for years. Offering Kinder – Prep will help all of our kids get the best start possible, with curriculum that is designed just for them.

There will be two Kinder - Prep Classes at McKinley School. The morning class will be 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and the afternoon class will be 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesdays both classes will meet from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Child care services will be available at this site.

Click for registration guide and forms.