Classes just started at Khalsa Montessori three weeks ago but the Tucson charter school already has parents clamoring to secure a spot for their children who will enter kindergarten a year from now.
While it may seem premature, schools across the Tucson area will be leading campus tours, hosting open houses and accepting applications from prospective families over this fall semester.
Parents who want to get their children into in-demand schools where there is often more interest than there are seats should start their homework now.
“Parents need to realize that they have a choice — Arizona has several options for kindergarten and K12 education,” said Nirvair Khalsa, director of Khalsa Montessori School. “It’s important for parents to think about what their goals are for their child, what they want and what their family needs are. If they want a school that’s more heavily focused on academics or a play-based school; if they need after school care or before school care, there are a lot of different options out there.”
“Kindergarten is such an important year,” added Pearl Chang-Esau, President and CEO of Expect More Arizona, an organization that champions a world-class education for all. “It’s a foundational learning year for kids to get them started out on the right track.”
That means taking into consideration the direction you expect your child to go not only in kindergarten but in the years that follow.
You can see how your child’s potential school is performing academically by reviewing test scores to see whether students are performing at grade level at critical times in critical areas like third grade reading.
To help with that, Expect More Arizona, in partnership with the Arizona Charter Schools Association and other organizations, created an education evaluator tool that shows parents where a school ranks on those kind of metrics.
But parents’ kindergarten research should not stop there, Esau said.
“The test scores are important, however, we do encourage parents to look beyond the test scores because there are other extremely important factors that would indicate a strong school environment.”
Things like: The school's leadership, teacher quality, extracurricular offerings and the values that are emphasized.
The best way to gain that insight is by visiting the campus, observing students and teachers in action, and scheduling time to speak with the principal or kindergarten teacher, Esau said.
“What you want to look for is that they have high expectations for the kids, that they encourage a mindset of trying and perseverance and continuous learning, especially at the kindergarten level where it’s not just about whether they get things right or wrong,” she said. “You want to see that they are encouraging a caring environment that is really going to pull out the potential of your children to be excited about learning, to be able to be creative, to be hands on, and to persevere through mistakes that they make.”
One Tucson private school, Second Street Children’s School, encourages families to visit three places before making a commitment.
“We really want families to make an educated decision about the school they land in,” the school's director, Jenny Douglas, said. “There are a lot of amazing programs in Tucson and sometimes what happens is parents want to come to a school because they’ve heard from their friends this is a great school and it may not be the best fit for them."
Second Street, which serves preschoolers and kindergartners only, doesn’t typically recruit students — given that most students transition from one level to the next, leaving few, if any, open seats. Still, there is a waiting list for both grades.
Some public schools are even getting in on the early enrollment trend, opening up the application period for families looking to place their children at campuses other than their neighborhood schools as early as November.
That is followed by kindergarten roundup events that are held in early spring.
Amphitheater’s newest elementary school, which will have a focus on science, technology, engineering and math, is slated to open next year but applications will be accepted starting Sept. 6.
The school, which has yet to be named, has no neighborhood boundaries and its 500 seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you're unsure of what school district you live in, here's a Pima County map. Call your district for more information on which school you are assigned to.
Understanding your options
District schools: public, state-funded schools that offer kindergarten programs or any combination of grades first through 12th, free of charge to students living within defined boundaries.
Charter schools: public, state-funded schools that serve as alternatives to traditional district schools. Charter schools were created through legislation in 1994. Charter schools contract with the state or district to provide tuition-free education. They may not offer the same amenities like district schools including transportation and hot lunches.
Private schools: schools that are free to operate as they see fit without the supervision of state or local education authorities. Private schools are, however, required to meet certain guidelines regarding special education services and health and safety requirements. They may charge tuition and have the right to select the students they serve.
Open enrollment: an option for families who wish to enroll their children at a public school outside of their neighborhood. Acceptance is contingent on whether the schools have space. When there is more interest than there are seats, lotteries are conducted. Depending on the school district, that process may begin as early as November.
What you should know
- Call ahead to schedule your school tour.
- Many schools require that children be 5 years old by Sept. 1 of the year they will be enrolled in kindergarten, although some will screen for early admission.
- Arizona no longer funds full-day kindergarten, forcing some schools to offer half-day programs only or to offer a full-day program with either the parent or the school footing the bill.
- Charter and private schools may charge non-refundable application or registration fees.
- If you are considering a private school and are in need of financial assistance, inquire about scholarship options early.
Questions to ask
- How large are class sizes?
- Are teachers certified?
- How is learning structured?
- What curriculum is used?
- How can parents be involved at school?
- What is the school’s discipline philosophy?
- Does the school have before/after care? How much does it cost?
