What is the benefit of full-day kindergarten?
Kindergarten is currently not a requirement in Colorado. However, research shows that starting students on their academic path in Kindergarten (ages 5-6)
promotes children's enthusiasm, initiative, persistence, and engagement in learning and helps children enter formal schooling more eager to learn and
ready to succeed.
Which schools have most capacity?
Capacity is determined at the school level. Please contact your school of interest to inquire about capacity and availability for your new kindergartener.
How do I enroll?
Everything you need to know about enrolling for kindergarten in Jeffco Public Schools can be found on our Kindergarten Enrollment page.
What is the waitlist and how does it work?
A waitlist is created when enrollment reaches grade-level capacity at a school. EnrollJeffco creates and manages waitlists. As families apply and the open seats are filled, a waitlist is automatically created. As soon as a space becomes available, the seat space is filled with the next student on the EnrollJeffco waitlist according to priority policy. Families will receive an email (and a text, if preferred) from every school to which they applied. The notification will either be an offer to enroll or information about the student’s placement on the school’s waitlist.
Why was kindergarten not free until now?
In the past, Jeffco Public Schools offered free half-day programs and full-day programs at an additional cost. Full-day kindergarten expenses were covered by tuition paid by families, unless families qualified for assistance or the school they attended funded full-day kindergarten in another way. Prior to the enactment of House Bill 1262, the State of Colorado’s school finance formula only funded kindergarten students at 58 percent of the rate that it paid for full-time older students in other grades. In most cases, this was not enough to cover the costs of tuition-free full-day kindergarten. With the May 2019 passage of House Bill 1262, the state will now fund students enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program at the same amount as students enrolled full-time in other grades, starting in Fall 2019.
I can't get into Jeffco Connect or EnrollJeffco to view my student's status.
Please contact the school you wish to attend for assistance. There is a navigation bar at the top left of this webpage - Select a School - to find your school's contact information.
How do I know what schools offer this program?
All Jeffco schools with kindergarten will offer free full-day kindergarten. Students may attend their assigned neighborhood school, or apply to attend a different neighborhood, option, or charter school.
How does this work with Free or Reduced Meals?
Jeffco Public Schools is pleased to offer healthy meals every school day, and your child(ren) may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. To apply, please complete the Free & Reduced Meals application. Free & reduced meals students may also qualify for other assistance; indicate on the application that you consent to the disclosure of the application information for consideration of other school district/program fee waivers.
How is free full-day kindergarten funded?
Jeffco Public Schools is funded by the State of Colorado and local property taxes. The state uses a formula to determine how much funding our school district receives per student; local support is a set amount. See our budget information for details.
How is free full-day kindergarten staffed?
Since Jeffco Public Schools has offered full-day kindergarten for several years, many of our staffing needs are already in place. The increased funding from the state will provide resources for additional staff to meet appropriate student-staff ratios, and will also support music, art, physical education, and other programs for our kindergarten students.
What are my options for before/after school care?
Our schools have a variety of options for before-and-after school care. Learn more about programs options.
What if I want to start in half-day kindergarten and 'roll up' to full-day during the school year?
Kindergarten students are guaranteed a full-day kindergarten spot at his/her designated neighborhood school. If you have questions about a modified schedule for your child, you may contact the school to discuss your situation.
When does kindergarten start for 2020-21 school year?
The first day of classes for all Jeffco schools for the school year 2020-2021 is Tuesday, August 18.
Find calendars
For more information about free full-day kindergarten, please contact your school or the school you are interested in attending.