Kindergarten registration under way at many area schools

Private, public programs available

View FIle pHotoMariana Reyes from Linda Arslanion?s kindergarten class sings a song with other students at Mendoza Elementary School, 2000 S. Sloan Lane. Kindergarten applications for Clark County schools are due May 2. Advertisement

As the 2007-08 school year comes to an end, kindergarten registration is in full swing. Whether you're thinking of going private or public, most schools have begun accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year.

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS

Within the public school district in Southern Nevada, parents have a couple of choices for kindergarten programs, depending on where they live.

First, check with your zoned campus to see what options they provide, as all public schools don't offer the same services regarding kindergarten. Some offer tuition-based, full-day programs that run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and other campuses offer free full-day sessions, while some only offer half-day sessions.

All schools have the funds to provide at least half-day kindergarten, so that no matter where you live, there is a kindergarten program available in your public school. The school district's half-day kindergarten programs are divided into a morning session, 9 to 11:30 a.m., and an afternoon session, 12:40 to 3:11 p.m. Any child who is zoned for a district school may attend one session or the other, as long as his or her parents fill out the appropriate registration material.

"There are some schools that will receive state funds for full-day kindergarten," said Kaweeda Adams, director of instruction for the district.

Based on state-set criteria, some schools, mostly at-risk campuses, will receive funds to provide full-day kindergarten free of charge to families. Those schools that don't receive the funds can decide to provide a tuition-based, full-day kindergarten, as long as they have the space on campus without adding portables and there are at least 22 children who attend, Adams said.

For the tuition-based, full-day kindergarten, a registration fee of $100 is due the first month of school, and the monthly tuition is $300. The cost covers teachers' and instructional assistants' salaries.

If more students apply for full-day, tuition-based kindergarten than there are spots for, the school will hold a lottery to determine who gets in. Those who aren't chosen will be placed on a waiting list for the remainder of the academic year.

Registration packets for the tuition-based programs must be turned in by May 2 to be considered for the 2008-09 year. Results of the lottery, if needed, will be announced on May 4 by the school at which you applied.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

As with public schools, the best thing to do is call the campus when thinking about registering your child for a private school's kindergarten program. Most private academies have ongoing registration, but their programs have limited spots, so it's best to check into schools' programs early.

Lit'l Scholar Academy's Summerlin campus, 8961 Hillpointe Road, for example, has no set deadline for registration. The academy requires a copy of the child's birth certificate, immunization records and corresponding paperwork, to be filled out by parents.

"Children have to be 5 by Sept. 30 in order to attend kindergarten," said D'Ann Blatt, director of operations at Lit'l Scholar Academy. "We try to make it very, very easy for parents. The only thing we require is a backpack."

At the International Christian Academy, 8100 Westcliff Drive, the school also is undergoing open enrollment, and office manager Mary Villanueva recommends interested parents take a tour of the school to decide if the campus is right for their child. Applications for the full-day kindergarten, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., can be obtained from the school office.

On May 2, St. Christopher School will hold an open enrollment day from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Principal Lawrence Raagas said parents need to have all their paperwork filled out and ready for the event, so drop by the school, 1840 N. Bruce St., to pick up registration materials. Yearly tuition for the Roman Catholic school is $3,200 for church members, $3,400 for Catholics who attend another parish and $3,600 for non-Catholics.

St. Christopher offers a full-day program, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. For parents who need extended care for their children, the school offers morning and afternoon care before and after school.

No matter what type of school works best for your family, it's always a good idea to begin looking for a campus early, as many programs start filling up around this time of year.