JR. KINDERGARTEN

In Michigan, families need to sign a waiver to register a child for Kindergarten if the child is not yet five years old on September 1, but will be by December 1. Students who turn five after December 1, 2026, are not eligible for Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. Forest Hills Public Schools has many early childhood opportunities for young children. Please explore our Great Start Readiness and preschool options for the 2026-2027 school year.

Additionally, while toilet training is not a legal requirement for school entry in Michigan, it is generally expected and beneficial for a child’s successful integration into the school setting. Parents/guardians are encouraged to work on developing this skill with their child before they start school and to engage with school officials to address any concerns or special requirements.

• Builds a strong foundation for future school success by focusing on essential skills and concepts at an age-appropriate pace.
• Supports social and emotional development through play-based learning and interaction with peers.
• Significantly reduces the likelihood of children needing additional support in later grades.
• Provides an additional year of preparation for children who would benefit from this developmentally-appropriate option.

Junior Kindergarten prepares children for traditional Kindergarten by focusing on critical areas of development, including:

• Language and literacy skills: Recognizing letters, letter sounds, and essential sight words.
• Numeracy skills: Counting, number recognition, basic addition and subtraction concepts.
• Social skills: Sharing, taking turns, following directions, learning school routines, and resolving conflicts.
• Emotional skills: Expressing feelings, managing emotions, and building self confidence.
• Fine and gross motor skills: Developing hand-eye coordination and experiencing a play-based environment.

In addition, staff teach a curriculum that supports shorter attention spans. Students’ curiosity is engaged through high-interest themes and project based learning. An emphasis is also placed on play-based learning, utilizing games, toys, and art activities, which helps Junior Kindergarten students develop skills in fine motor control, independent problem solving, and communication.

Junior Kindergarten is not mandatory in Michigan. Participation in Junior Kindergarten is optional. However, parents/guardians are encouraged to consider the benefits of the program and discuss their student’s readiness for formal schooling with educators and other professionals. We are happy to assist you in determining if this is the best option for your student. Upon registration, expect to receive additional communication from the elementary school regarding important Junior Kindergarten events.

Yes, they will eat lunch at school and have the option of school-provided meals or bringing their own lunch.

In addition to the materials on our website, the district will host an information night in January, and our elementary schools will hold an event in February. The February event will provide details about Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten, and parents/guardians will be able to tour the elementary school. If you are unsure of the best choice (Kindergarten or Junior Kindergarten) for your student, please contact the school where your student will attend Kindergarten next year. The principal, our Kindergarten teachers, and other elementary professionals are available to answer your questions, or you can schedule an appointment with them to help make an informed decision.

No. The pathway is designed for Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and then first grade. Children will join their FHPS attendance area school and Kindergarten program the year following Junior Kindergarten. The Junior Kindergarten learning experience does not replace the Forest Hills Public Schools’ Kindergarten program. Students in Junior Kindergarten will be introduced to elements of the Kindergarten curriculum, complemented by play-based experiences designed to support social and academic school development. While individual needs are always taken into account, this program is not intended to build a student’s readiness for first grade, but rather to provide an additional year of growth in early Kindergarten literacy, math, and social skills.

Junior Kindergarten classrooms are available at all FHPS elementary schools, with the exception of Ada Vista Elementary School, the district’s Spanish immersion elementary school. Our Junior Kindergarten classrooms are at the following elementary schools: Ada, Collins, Knapp Forest, Meadow Brook, Orchard View, Pine Ridge, and Thornapple. Students will attend the elementary school based on the family’s place of residence.

While we are one Forest Hills community, the district has three attendance areas.

Not sure what attendance area you live in, please check out our attendance area map.

Yes. Transportation will be available for families who reside within the FHPS district. Families who need transportation will have the opportunity to register for transportation when they enroll their student. Transportation will be provided on an FHPS school bus, and your student will ride the bus with other elementary students. Families who register for transportation will receive additional details and bus stop information in August.

Make sure you register for Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten, and the school principal and special education director will reach out to families of students with IEPs prior to the start of school.

No. While birthdate is a factor, students turning five years old between September 1 and December 1 may benefit most from an additional growth year while developing:

• Oral language development
• Confidence
• Social skills
• Motor skills
• Attention span
• Independence
• School readiness

The Kindergarten screener will also help determine a child’s readiness. However, as a parent/guardian, you know the child best, and we are here to partner with you to set all children on a successful educational journey.

If a child is eligible for Kindergarten, they are eligible for Junior Kindergarten. Ultimately, the final decision is up to the parent/guardian as to whether their student will attend Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten. Our educational staff will help you at every step of your decision process to ensure your student is happy and will thrive and grow.

There is no lottery and there is no maximum number of students the district will take. Again, our staff will work with families on the best placement for each child. When enrollment opens, families can select Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten.

No. Our language immersion programs, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, begin in Kindergarten. If your student attends Junior Kindergarten their first year, and you are interested in a language immersion Kindergarten the following year, families will have that opportunity to explore the language immersion Kindergarten programs the following year.