Kindergarten and Young Fives

Mason Public Schools is proud to offer our Young Fives Kindergarten. Students considered for Young Fives must be age 5 by December 1. Young Fives Kindergarten will follow the same full-day schedule and calendar as Kindergarten. It will be taught by a certified teacher.

How does Young Fives Differ from Kindergarten?: Young Fives Kindergarten offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to meet the needs of children who may need one more year of social, emotional, and/or academic development. The program is child-centered and provides additional time for emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth through learning activities that foster development. The Young Fives classroom builds on expanded Preschool or Early Learning elements that work to prepare the child for their upcoming kindergarten year. The classroom includes activities to support key academics in a play and sensory-based approach. Students engage daily in free choice, whole group time, literacy, writing, math, and theme (science, social studies, art, health, etc.). Students also participate fully in physical education, music, art, recess, and library weekly.

Process for Enrollment: Interested in-district families should register online for Kindergarten, and complete an age waiver (provided via email). All incoming Kindergarten students and potential Young Fives Kindergarten students will traditionally participate in a May Kindergarten Round-Up appointment. Staff will gather data from observations, parent input, student school/childcare history, and birthdate. A rubric for placement will be used to determine eligibility. The Harvey Education Center Staff is committed to balancing all classrooms with the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students considered. Families will be notified of students’ placement in Young Fives by June 1.

 Young Fives Kindergarten Consideration Placement Rubric