Kindergarten & K-Knights
Educating our Young Knights

Whether this is your first or last child attending kindergarten, this year will be a milestone for your family. We are confident you will find that Kenowa Hills Public Schools is an outstanding learning community that takes tremendous pride in our students, parents, and the responsibilities we have as educators in preparing the youth for the future. Our dedication to Personal Mastery starts for our youngest learners.

Kindergarten and Young 5s (K-Knights) Programs are Available at All Elementary Schools

K-Knights (also known as Young 5s) is a tuition-free program specifically designed to teach skills that students need to start kindergarten.

• Open to children whose 5th birthday falls between June 1st and December 1st.
• K-Knights is a good fit for children who have not been to preschool or would benefit from the gift of time.
• Screening will determine the proper placement for your child.

Your child will experience a fun, creative, encouraging, child-centered environment while learning to work both independently and collaboratively. Kindergarten skills and behavior are emphasized while students are given the support they need to find success at their level of learning and development. To see if this program would be a good fit for your child, please attend one of the events above at your child's home school.

If I plan to submit an elementary transfer or School of Choice can I go to that school to do the assessment? 

The preference for transfers is to complete the assessment at the student’s home school. We are not sure that all specific building requests will be approved. School of Choice students may attend an assessment at any school as long as they are aware this does not secure a spot in that particular school. 

Can I register now if we are applying for School of Choice? 

You can complete the online registration after you’ve received the SOC acceptance letter.

What is the age requirement for Kindergarten? 

Five by September 1. 

Can someone other than the parents bring the student in to be assessed? 

Yes. 

Can we place a student in K-Knights even though he is assessed to be placed in Kindergarten? And vice versa, the steps to go into Kindergarten when assessed for K-Knights? 

If a student meets the requirements for the K-Knights program, the parent may select Kindergarten or the K-Knights program. If the request from the parent is not the same as the recommendation and the student does not meet the K-Knight qualifications, the student will be placed in Kindergarten. If the request from the parent is Kindergarten, but the recommendation after the assessment is K-Knights, the parent still holds the right to choose Kindergarten if they feel it is best for the child. All K-Knights must turn 5 between June 1 and September 1. 

If we can’t make the assessment dates what will happen? 

The student will be placed in Kindergarten until an assessment can be completed either in August or the first week of school, unless the student qualifies for K-Knights and the parent requests this program. 

My child attends preschool/daycare at ECC. Do I need to complete a returning or a new student registration? 

Please complete a new student registration form online at khps.org/ registration. You will also need to schedule an appointment with the registrar to complete the registration process. Please bring all required documents to this appointment. The returning student registration form will not be an option for our Kindergartners. 

What documents will I need to register my student? 

A parent or legal guardian must bring an original Birth Certificate (we will make a copy), Immunization Records, Health Appraisal Form, and a Proof of Residency (a current utility bill, lease agreement or mortgage statement that shows your name, address and a current date), and Parent ID (must be listed as parent on birth certificate). 

My child is not due for his/her annual physical until later this year, what do I do about the health appraisal requirement? 

Child’s doctor can fill a health appraisal off of the previous years physical - bring in an updated health appraisal after the current year physical takes place. 

Where do I go to get the hearing and vision screening? 

Kent County Health Department requires that Kindergarten entrants have documentation of Hearing & Vision screening. You can call the KCHD at 616-632-7047 for an appointment. It will be at the Fuller Clinic - in the Annex building behind the main building. 700 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 

If I designate that my child is going to be in Kindergarten, can I change my mind to K-Knights before school begins? 

Yes, if there is room in a classroom and all qualifications are met for this program. 

Can we get busing if we are School of Choice? 

Busing is not provided to SOC students. However, you are welcome to call the transportation office at 616-453-4757 and see if there is a close bus stop where you can drop off your child if that bus is not already full. 

Can I get busing to and from the ECC learning center? 

Yes, buses run to/from all three elementary schools before and after school. 

When will I know who my child’s teacher is and if they will be a K-Knight or Kindergartner? 

During the orientation assessment, it will be determined whether the student will be a K-Knight or Kindergartner. Parent letters typically go home mid-August with teacher and classroom details. 

Will we get a chance to bring our child in to meet the teachers and school prior to the start of school? 

We typically have an Open House mid-August or very close to the start of school where your child can meet their teacher.