Kindergarten Readiness

Granite Falls School District offers full-day kindergarten at Mountain Way Elementary for all students who turn five years old on or before August 31.

Research shows that developmentally appropriate full-day kindergarten programs help students build stronger academic and social-emotional foundations. Full-day programs provide young learners with the time they need to practice skills, engage in hands-on learning, build relationships, and develop independence.

Benefits of Full-Day Kindergarten

Students who participate in full-day kindergarten often demonstrate:

• Stronger readiness for elementary school
• Greater academic achievement
• Improved attendance
• Enhanced literacy, language, and math skills
• Stronger social and emotional development

Families are encouraged to complete registration and kindergarten forms as early as possible through the district Registration & Enrollment process.

New Student Enrollment Form

Granite Falls School District offers an Early Entrance process for students whose birthdays fall between September 1 and October 15.

Early entrance eligibility is determined through district-administered assessments and developmental observations to evaluate kindergarten readiness.

Important Information

• Proof of age is required.
• Applications must be submitted by the district deadline listed in the Early Entrance Parent Packet.
• Assessments are completed by district staff in late spring.
• Private psychologist evaluations are no longer accepted.
• Candidates must demonstrate above-average readiness in all evaluation areas.

Additional Early Entrance Information

• A screening fee of up to $100 may apply.
• Families qualifying for free or reduced-price meals will not be charged.
• Approved students are expected to attend their neighborhood school.
• Successful kindergarten candidates may be required to attend Kindergarten Jump Start if offered.

Students approved for early entrance participate in a 25-school-day trial period at the beginning of the school year. Attendance and adjustment to the classroom environment are important factors during this process.

For more information: See Granite Falls School District Board Policy 3110P.

Early Entrance Contact

Families interested in early entrance should contact:

Rhodora dela Cruz, Principal
Mountain Way Elementary

rdelacruz@gfalls.wednet.edu

Helping Your Child Prepare

Children enter kindergarten with a wide range of experiences and skills. Before school begins, families may wish to practice everyday learning and independence skills at home.

• Recognizing some letters and numbers
• Using a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly (with the thumb and forefinger supporting the tip)
• Using scissors, glue, paint, and other art materials
• Writing their first name using upper- and lowercase letters, if possible
• Counting to 10
• Bouncing a ball
• Classifying objects according to their size, shape, and quantity
• Speaking using complete sentences
• Recognizing some common sight words, like "stop"
• Identifying rhyming words
• Repeating full name, address, phone number, and birthday
• Playing independently or focusing on one activity with a friend for up to ten minutes
• Managing bathroom needs
• Dressing himself
• Following directions
• Cleaning up after himself
• Listening to a story without interrupting
• Separating from parents easily

Don't panic if your child hasn't nailed everything on the list! Kindergarten is a place for children to continue learning and growing. Building independence, confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning are some of the most important ways families can prepare children for school success. Give your child the chance to show you what they can do for themselves - you might be in for a few surprises!

Other Resources:

WaKids Summer To-Do List 
Your Child's Education

Center for Improvement of Student Learning  
Free Developmental Child Find Screening 

Kindergarten students must be met by a parent/guardian or other adult at the bus stop. Alternatively, kindergarten students can be released from the bus with an older sibling. If you are a kindergarten student's parent, please tell the transportation staff if someone other than you will be meeting your child or if your child should be released with an older sibling. Please be prepared to show identification.