Young 5s Program and Kindergarten
Ann Arbor Public Schools has two programs available for our youngest learners:
Young 5s - The Young 5s program is an optional opportunity for those students who meet the age criteria for entrance. The Young 5s program is a district-wide program and enrollment is limited to space availability. As such, enrollment is not guaranteed at neighborhood schools. If you're interested in our Young 5s program for your student, we highly encourage families to apply at the earliest opportunity.
- For the 2025-26 school year, students must turn five years old between May 1 - December 1, 2025.
There are no exceptions to these dates.
- Neighborhood and in-district transfer applications for Young 5s for the 2025-26 academic year will be available from Tuesday, April 15 - Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
- In each application window, priority is given to:
- Students who live in the school's attendance area,
- Siblings of currently enrolled transfer students who will attend the same school in the enrolling year,
- Resident in-district transfer, and
- New Schools of Choice students.
Random draws will determine placement as needed.
Kindergarten - For children born on or before December 1.
- For the 2025-26 academic year, eligible students are born on or before December 1, 2020. There are no exceptions to this date.
- Neighborhood pre-enrollment for 2025-26 will first be available on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. In-district transfer applications for kindergarten students will be available from Tuesday, February 25 - Monday, March 31. Schools with space available are TBD.
Click here to learn about the differences between the programs.
Every year, each K-5 and K-8 school holds informational sessions for parents who would like to know more about Young 5s and kindergarten. These "round-ups" are typically held in February for the upcoming academic year, and we encourage families to place a reminder on their calendars to check our website in mid-January.
- All day kindergarten consists of daily literacy, mathematics, science and social studies instruction.
- Enrollment is guaranteed for a student's zoned school.
- Neighborhood pre-enrollment for kindergarten for the 2024-25 academic year is available.
Looking for preschool enrollment information? Explore preschool programs here.
Academic year is August 2024 - June 2025
Academic year is August 2025 - June 2026
