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Kindergarten Screening

Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

graphic of kindergarten class


If your child will be five years old by December 1, 2025, join us for Kindergarten Screening! This process helps determine whether Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the best fit. Kindergarten Screening is required for all students entering a JPS kindergarten program.

Transitional Kindergarten

  • 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

Kindergarten

  • 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

What is Kindergarten Screening?

Graphic of Kindergarten Screening

Kindergarten Screening measures:
  • Early development
  • Academic skills
  • Assesses Kindergarten readiness
Our team uses the results of the screening to provide you with a recommendation and parter with you as you determine what program is best for your child.

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The Kindergarten Screening Process

Part 1 - Register and Book Appointment

Step 1: Create an account for registration (or sign in if you have an existing account for an older student)

Register Button

Step 2: Complete registration
Step 3: Once registration is submitted, book a Kindergarten Screening appointment

Book Now Button

Appointments are currently available on February 14th.

Please note that appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If all time slots for the current screening days are filled, we will contact you to arrange the next available opportunity.

Please note:
  • Current JPS 4-year-old preschoolers will be screened during school and DO NOT need to book an appointment. Please call/email... if you have any questions.
  • Current JPS TK students DO NOT have to participate in Kindergarten Screening

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Part 2 - During Appointment

Step 4: Check in at your Kindergarten Screening appointment with your child.
Step 5: The following steps happen simultaneously 
Step 5a: The student
    • Participates and completes the screening
    • Selects a book to take home
Step 5b: The parent
    • Enjoys a snack or coffee
    • Has the opportunity to ask questions while they wait for their child to finish screening
Step 6: Right after the screening
  • A staff member will review the results with the parent
  • Parents can indicate their preference of placement for:
    • Transitional Kindergarten 
    • Kindergarten
    • Spanish Immersion Kindergarten (SI K)
    • Wilderness Academy Kindergarten (WA K)
    • Jenison Innovation Academy Kindergarten (JIA K)
  • Complete the program specific application if necessary
    • Spanish Immersion Kindergarten (SI K)
    • Wilderness Academy Kindergarten (WA K)
    • Jenison Innovation Academy Kindergarten (JIA K)
  • The student and family have the opportunity to take a selfie or family photo in front of the JPS backdrop to celebrate this milestone.
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Part 3 - Post Appointment

Step 7: After approximately 2-3 weeks you will receive an email with your child's placement recommendation
Step 7a: (Optional) You can submit the response form if you would like further discussion regarding your child's placement recommendation
Step 7b: If you applied for a specific Kindergarten program please see the section below.
Step 8: Elementary Building placements are emailed by the end of March
Step 9: Teacher placements are emailed in the beginning of August


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Specific Kindergarten Programs

Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Process

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

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

After the lottery takes place you will receive an email letting you know if you've been accepted (parents need to confirm acceptance within a week) or if you have been placed on the waitlist.
Apply Now Button
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Wilderness Academy Process

If we received 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 lottery is on March 5th at 4:00 pm.

After the lottery takes place you will receive an email letting you know if you've been accepted (parents need to confirm acceptance within a week) or if you have been placed on the waitlist.
Apply Now Button
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Jenison Innovation Academy Process

If we received your application for Jenison Innovation Academy (JIA) Kindergarten and you meet all of the specific requirements for JIA Kindergarten then you will be notified via the JIA registrar for next steps.

Apply Now Button

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