Kindergarten

Starting kindergarten can be an exciting time for children and their families.

In Anoka-Hennepin Schools, our kindergarten philosophy is:

Children are valuable and unique individuals, capable of learning.
Children develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually with individual patterns of growth.
Children learn best when home, school, and community work as a team.

Kindergarten students in Anoka-Hennepin Schools attend school all-day, every day at one of 25 elementary schools across the district, based on your families' home address. A child must be five (5) years on or before Sept. 1 of the year in which he or she enrolls.

Smiling young girl coloring a worksheet labeled “First Day of Kindergarten” at a classroom table

Use the school finder tool, see which school serves your neighborhood.

If you don't live within Anoka-Hennepin School District but would like your child to attend an Anoka-Hennepin school, you can apply for open enrollment.

Kindergarten enrollment

Children who turn five on or before September 1 are eligible for kindergarten.

Learn about what kindergarten looks like, what you’ll need to enroll, and how to prepare your child for this exciting milestone.

Kindergarten handbook

Explore kindergarten enrollment

Steps to enroll in Kindergarten

Step 1: Register online.

Young boy focused on coloring a worksheet at his classroom desk

Schools begin hosting welcome events for new kindergarten students as early as March each year. Families can stay informed of important events and information to prepare for kindergarten by letting us know your plans, as soon as January of the upcoming school year.

Visit the Anoka-Hennepin Online Registration Account Access to get started.

If your child is the first child in your home to attend an Anoka-Hennepin School:
Click "Create a new account."
If your child has older siblings that have attended an Anoka-Hennepin School before:
Login to your ParentVue account. Next, select:
- "K-12 New Enrolling Students" if you live in the district.
- "K-12 Open Enrolling Students" if you live outside the district.

Once you complete the registration process, we will share any next steps necessary to keep you informed of kindergarten information for the upcoming school year.

Step 2: Watch your email.

Three young students sitting at a table and reading books in a classroom

Once the enrollment team receives your enrollment registration, your family will receive a placement notification as soon as late February or early March of the upcoming school year.

If you don't receive an electronic invitation from your neighborhood school, it means your child is not in the district database or we didn't receive your enrollment registration. Call 763-506-1030 or email enrollmentoptions@ahschools.us.

Step 3: Plan to visit.

Student giving a high five to a staff member while getting off the school bus.

Elementary schools host welcome events for families with new kindergarten students to attend in March, April or May for the upcoming school year. (Dates vary by school.) Families will receive electronic invitations from their child's assigned school.

Once you receive an invitation for your school's kindergarten welcome event, make a plan to attend!

We want to make the transition to elementary school a positive experience, and attending welcome events can help children familiarize themselves with a new building and make connections with staff members at our school that will become friendly faces in the coming months.

What to bring: Families are encouraged to bring their soon-to-be kindergartener to this event! Parents/guardians may bring questions about our school and the kindergarten experience.

Translation assistance: If your family needs language translation assistance at the event, please call the Family Welcome Center at 763-433-4680 to request support.

Step 4: Prepare for school.

Alt text: Young students arriving at school, walking from school buses and holding hands

In the months leading up to the start of school, families can talk with their child about school. Children that feel prepared and know what to expect are more likely to be ready for independence and think about starting school positively.

Focus on the positives of going to school. You and your child may have mixed feelings. Listening and talking about emotions is helpful, and try to focus on the first day as a new adventure.
Try walking to school or to the bus stop so it begins to feel like a familiar routine.
Practice going to bed and getting up on the new schedule that will align with the school year. Don't forget to eat a calm, unhurried breakfast!
Prepare comfortable clothing and shoes for school that your child can put on, take off and fasten independently.

Watch for back to school communications from Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the elementary school.

July: The "FOCUS" e-newsletter from the Anoka-Hennepin School District is sent to all families.
August: Schools send kindergarten families information about teacher assignments, open houses, school supply lists and school bus routes.

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