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Public Kindergarten Programs
NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
What is kindergarten?
Kindergarten is a public school program to help young children get ready for 1st grade. Kindergarten helps children become ready for school by developing their social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and language skills. Most children start kindergarten when they are five years old.
Kindergarten attendance is not mandatory in Massachusetts. However, Massachusetts regulations require all public school districts to offer a free kindergarten program for their residents. The kindergarten programs must include a minimum of 425 hours of structured learning time per academic school year, or 2.5 hours per day.
Where can I find a kindergarten program?
Massachusetts requires all public school districts to offer a free kindergarten program. To find a program in your area, call the superintendent of your school district. For contact information, see Massachusetts School/District Profiles.
Children usually attend kindergarten at a school in their home school district. However, parents may enroll their children in out-of-district kindergarten programs through the "school choice" program. For more information, see Elementary and Secondary Education: What is inter-district school choice?
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for Massachusetts public kindergarten:
Immigration status does not matter for kindergarten programs. Undocumented noncitizens who meet the eligibility requirements can send their children to kindergarten.
Children who are not 5 years old by the cut-off date must wait until the following year to start kindergarten in their district. If your child misses the cut-off date by a few days, you should check with your school superintendent to see if the cut-off date is flexible. You may also be able to enroll your child in a charter school or an out-of-district "school choice" kindergarten program with a later cut-off date.
What benefits will I get?
Kindergarten offers these benefits:
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Kindergarten offers a wide range of activities that help children grow intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally. The kindergarten curriculum includes language and literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts.
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Kindergarten children are screened to see if they may need special services. The screening checks for problems with hearing and vision, gross motor and fine motor skills, ability to communicate, and ability to think and learn. Screening results are sent to parents.
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School meals are available for all kindergarten children. Children from income-eligible families get free or reduced price school meals and milk. For more information, see School Meals Programs.
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Parents can be actively involved in their child's development and education. Kindergarten parents can volunteer in their child's classroom, go on class field trips, or serve on a committee at their child's school. At home, parents can read to their children, and help their children with activities and projects.
How long is the kindergarten school day?
Some school districts offer a half-day kindergarten program, some districts offer a full-day program, and some districts have some half-day and some full-day spaces.
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Half-day kindergarten:
In half-day programs, children attend a morning session or an afternoon session for a minimum of 2.5 hours per day of structured learning time. You will usually be assigned to either the morning session or the afternoon session, based on where you live. This allows the school buses to transport children more easily.
You may be allowed to change sessions if necessary. You should contact your school superintendent's office to request a change. Each request is decided on a case-by-case basis. If you are allowed to change sessions, you may have to provide your own transportation.
In some communities, kindergarten sessions switch mid-year. Morning session children switch to afternoon session and vice versa.
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Full-day kindergarten:
Full-day programs provide a minimum of 5 hours of structured learning time per day. Children who live in districts that only offer full-day kindergarten usually must attend the whole day. They do not have the option of attending only a half-day.
You should check with your school district to find out which kindergarten programs are offered in your community. Because of limited slots in some communities, parents who want their children to attend full-day kindergarten may be subject to a lottery or placed on a waiting list.
The Massachusetts Department of Education encourages all school districts to offer free full-day programs.
How much does it cost?
By law, Massachusetts public schools must offer a free kindergarten program that is at least a half-day program with a minimum of 2.5 hours of structured learning time per day. Some cities and towns offer a free full-day kindergarten program. Other cities and towns offer a full-day program, but charge a fee for the second half of the day. The fees for full-day kindergarten vary from district to district.
The state puts a limit on the amount a school district can charge for full-day kindergarten if the school district receives a state full-day kindergarten grant. These school districts:
- cannot charge more than the tuition cap
- must offer a sliding fee scale based on income to make full-day kindergarten affordable to everyone
- must waive kindergarten fees for families with very low incomes or families facing unexpected financial hardships
- cannot charge kindergarten fees for children with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) specify a full-day kindergarten program
For more information about kindergarten fees:
Will I get transportation?
Your child will get free transportation for kindergarten if:
- you live more than 2 miles walking distance from your assigned local district school
- you are in a regional school district and live more than 1 ½ miles from your school
- you are homeless. Your child will get free transportation, even if you are living outside of the school district where your child attends school
- your child is a special education student whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) includes transportation
Some school districts give free transportation to kindergarten children who live more than a mile from their school. Other school districts offer fee-based transportation for kindergarten children who are not eligible for free transportation. Transportation policies vary from one school district to another.
Children who qualify for free or reduced school lunch do not have to pay bus fees. School districts usually waive bus fees for families with financial hardships, children with health problems, and children living in areas not safe for walking. Your child's school will be able to answer any questions you have about transportation.
You must fill out an application for transportation services. Transportation is not provided door to door. Bus stops are located at specific points in each neighborhood.
For more information, see Elementary and Secondary Education: Will I get transportation?.
How do I apply?
Each school district decides when to hold kindergarten registration. Most school districts begin pre-registration in late winter or early spring for the following fall. Some districts ask parents to register their children at a parent information center or school district office. Other districts hold registration at the schools. You should check with your local school district for their registration location and dates.
If you decide to send your child to a local or regional district school, you will usually be assigned to a school based on where you live. Some school districts give you a choice of programs. You may also have other choices for kindergarten, such as a charter school kindergarten program, or an inter-district school choice kindergarten program.
When you register your child for kindergarten, you must bring proof of residency, proof of your child's age, your child’s medical records and test results, and proof of immunization. See Elementary and Secondary Public Education: What documents do I need? for more information. You should check with your local district for their specific requirements.
After you register your child, the school will send you information about transportation and other school policies. Many schools have a Kindergarten Open House for parents and their children before the school year begins.
Useful links
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Massachusetts Department of Education
The official website of the Department of Education, including information about public kindergarten rules and regulations:
Kindergarten section last updated on 4/12/10
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