The transition to Kindergarten is not a one-time event, happening on the first day of school.  It begins well before your child enters school and continues during the first year.  The family, the sending preschool program the children attend, and the receiving school all play an important role in making this passage between preschool years and kindergarten smooth and productive.  The following Minneapolis Public Schools family guide will provide more information on getting ready and enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools:

Choosing Kindergarten

Step 1 - Parents of children entering kindergarten (child must turn five on or before September 1) are strongly encouraged to complete the School Request Card or submit your school request online by February 19, 2013.

Step 2 - Parents of children entering kindergarten must complete the registration process at their assigned school.  This registration can be completed during the District-wide registration day on Thursday, May 2, 2013 or you may call the school to set up a different time.  Families must make requests for morning, afternoon, or full-day kindergarten through their assigned school.

When registering, be sure to bring the following to the school:

- Completed Early Childhood Screening summary; call 612.668.3715
- Birth record
- Immunization record

While you must present these documents before your child can start school, you should submit your request card even if you don't have all these documents available.

Early Admission to Kindergarten Information

While MPS does not recommend early admission, some parents may feel their child should start kindergarten earlier than the recommended age.  If your child turns 5 years old between September 2 and October 31, your child is eligible for consideration for early admission into kindergarten based on the following procedures:

• Parents/guardians must submit a request card to Student Placement Services by April 15, 2013.
• Requests will be reviewed after all other lottery assignments have been made and will be assigned on a space available basis.
• Children must complete an Early Childhood Screening before requests for early admission will be sent out to the schools.
• Contact Early Childhood Screening at 612.668.3715 to schedule a screening appoitnment.
• School staff will conduct an Early Admission to Kindergarten Classroom Observation to determine if the child is ready for school.
• School staff may ask the child's preschool or childcare center to complete an Early Admission to Kindergarten Recommendation form.
• If the child appears to be ready for school, he or she will be referred to the District's Early Childhood Education team to be given the Beginning of Kindergarten Assessment.  
• If the child successfully completes this assessment, he or she will be placed at the school that was requested or to a school with available space.
• Children who turn 5 by September 1 will have priority in their choice of schools and for full-day kindergarten placement.