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Kindergarten Options

Ready for Kindergarten

Our mission is to empower every student to succeed. Our various options for kindergarten empower students to be successful in:

Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
Kindergarten (K)
Spanish Immersion Kindergarten (SI K)
Wilderness Academy Kindergarten (WA K)
Jenison Innovation Academy Kindergarten (JIA K)

Kindergarten Screening

All students must complete Kindergarten Screening to attend any kindergarten program.

Transitional Kindergarten

(Think Young 5's)

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten, providing children with an opportunity to grow their confidence and foundational skills. TK focuses on hands-on learning, social-emotional development, and early academic concepts in a supportive, play-based environment.

Smaller adult to child ratio
Focused time on task 5-10 minutes
Consistent choice/play time throughout the school year
Focus on building pre-kindergarten skills such as letter recognition, fine motor development, and foundational social-emotional skills

These factors will help determine if your child is right for TK

Turns five between September 1 - December 1
Limited school or group learning experiences
Kindergarten Screening score indicates the need for additional time developing academic readiness skills
Support needed for independence
Chooses to play independently and limited abilities to regulate emotions
Parent request indicates preference

Kindergarten

(Think Traditional Kindergarten)

Kindergarten (K) students develop academic skills for reading, writing, math, and science concepts while building social and emotional skills through structured activities and play. Kindergarten lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success at JPS.

Typical elementary class size
Focused time on task 10-25 minutes
Expectations for independence and self care skills
Less frequent choice/play time
Emphasizes reading, writing, and problem-solving in math and science

These factors will help determine if your child is ready for Kindergarten

Turns five before September 1
Attended preschool or other learning experiences
Kindergarten Screening score indicates academic readiness
Demonstrates independence
Interacts with peers and can regulate emotions
Parent request indicates preference

Unique JPS Kindergaten Options

Jump to Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Button

Jump to Wilderness Academy Kindergarten Button

Jumpt to Jenison Innovation Academy Kindergarten Button

Spanish Immersion Kindergarten

All instruction is in Spanish, including early literacy skills like letter sounds, syllable blending, segmenting, and reading, as well as math and other subjects taught in traditional kindergarten. While learning in a second language is challenging, we believe all students can master school standards, become highly proficient in two languages, and develop a deep appreciation for other cultures.

JPS Spanish Immersion Program

Spanish Immersion Kindergarten is the entry level grade to our full K-12 Spanish Immersion program. Our Spanish Immersion program is divided into two levels, elementary and secondary.

El Puente Elementary (K-6)

El Puente Elementary is a fully functional elementary designed entirely for Spanish Immersion and is taught by bi-lingual teachers and staff.

Secondary Level (7-12)

After elementary school, Spanish Immersion students transition into the broader JPS student body for junior high and high school. Rather than attending a separate school, they continue their bilingual education by enrolling in select classes and courses designed to support their language development.

Due to our Spanish Immersion program being in high demand there is an application and lottery system for entry.

If we receive your application for Spanish Immersion Kindergarten by the application deadline (Feb. 11) and your child is recommended for kindergarten (NOT TK) after Kindergarten Screening then you will be automatically entered into the lottery system.

The SI lottery is on Feb. 17th at 4:00 pm.

After the lottery takes place, lottery contestants will receive an email letting them know if they've been accepted (parent need to confirm acceptance within a week) or if they have been placed on the waitlist.

Wilderness Academy Kindergarten

In this program, students develop essential skills for interacting with the world, solving problems, exploring leadership and service, and discovering the joy of learning in a hands-on, engaging way. WA students use the same primary resources for phonics and math instruction as their peers in traditional kindergarten. Additionally, the program integrates nature journaling and offsite investigations to enhance science and social studies learning.

Half of the school day is spent outside the traditional classroom, where students apply core concepts in real-world settings. This outdoor experience helps them build confidence, problem-solving abilities, flexibility, and resilience.

Wilderness Academy

Wilderness Academy is Jenison Public Schools' outdoor elementary, offering the following grade levels:

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

Due to our Wilderness Academy program being in high demand there is an application and lottery system for entry.

If we receive your application for Wilderness Academy Kindergarten by the application deadline (March 3) and your child was recommended for Kindergarten (NOT TK) then you will be automatically entered into the lottery system.

The WA lottery is on March 5th at 4:00 pm.

Jenison Innovation Academy Kindergarten

Jenison Innovation Academy (JIA) offers flexible online and hybrid learning options beyond the traditional classroom. With a focus on personalized, high-quality instruction, JIA helps students succeed in today’s dynamic world through fully online or blended learning experiences.

JIA Kindergartners have the option of completing all of their coursework at home via an online classroom, with most students choosing to participate in 2.5 days of optional in-person, hands-on experiences with their teachers and peers.

JIA teachers work closely with parents to support each student’s success. Kindergartners follow a personalized weekly calendar with daily assignments and activities. Teachers provide academic support, accelerated learning, and daily live virtual sessions for students and parents, in addition to digital coursework and in-person options.

District Registrar

Please contact the JPS registrar if you have questions regarding registration, enrollment or your Kindergarten options.

[email protected]

P: 616.667.3232

F: 616.457.8898

Office Hours 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

(Open Year Round)

JIA Registrar

If you have any Jenison Innovation Academy questions regarding registration, enrollment or JIA Kindergarten please contact the JIA registrar below.

[email protected]

P: 616.457.8477

F: 616.457.8470

Office Hours 8:00 am - 4:00 pm (Open Year Round)

Required Documents

State required forms and documents prior to a child's first year in public education, ie. TK or Kindergarten

These are required prior to the first day of TK or Kindergarten, but NOT for enrollment.

Health Appraisal Form

Dental Assessment Form

Hearing and Vision Screening*

*A hearing and vision screening is required. You can have your doctor complete this section on the Health Appraisal form, or you may choose to have it done through the County Health Department.