Is Your 4-Year Old Ready for Kindergarten?
Deciding which school your child should attend is often one of the most thought-out decisions made by parents and caregivers.
Public or private? Charter school? Home school? Young 5s program or kindergarten?
The options seem endless and the stakes feel high.
My Child has a Late Fall Birthday, Now What?
Your child may be impacted by the options, as not all schools accept a waiver.
Despite the weightiness of the decision, there are resources available to evaluate and determine what is the best enrollment choice for your child.
National Heritage Academies schools provide options and insight to aid parents with this decision-making process.
With close to 100 schools in nine states and more than 50 in Michigan, many National Heritage Academies schools offer a Young 5s program.
Endeavor Charter Academy in Springfield/Battle Creek and Paramount Charter Academy in Kalamazoo both offer Young 5s programs.
These two schools are also both celebrating their 25th anniversary of transforming the lives of countless school-age children in their communities!
Young 5s May Be an Option to Consider
Not sure if your child is ready for kindergarten? Parents often struggle with this question. Young 5 programs are specially created for the child who is younger age-wise than the average kindergartner.
Children who turn five between September 1 and December 1 are often good candidates for this program.
The only requirement is for parents to sign the Michigan waiver. This waiver allows students 5-years old on or before December 1 to apply for either grade level. However, not all schools accept waivers so be sure to research your options. Fortunately, Paramount Charter Academy and Endeavor Charter Academy do!
Young 5s classes provide support for younger learners who may benefit from the gift of an additional year as well as a smaller class size.
These programs help children adjust to the social and academic demands of school in a fun and hands-on environment.
The Gift of Time
A Young 5s curriculum provides the ‘gift of time’ so that teachers can help younger learners develop the social, motor, and academic skills necessary to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Students who complete their first year in a Young 5s program are promoted to kindergarten the following year along with their peers.
“I love the school. My child does as well. We definitely love the Young 5’s teacher. She does a great job & I love her communication ability. She is great with my child!”
-Paramount Charter Academy Parent
The Kindergarten of Today is Different from Our Kindergarten
From my Kindergarten days, I seem to remember it involving heavy amounts of glue, crayons and snack times. No doubt about it, today’s kindergarten structure and expectations have changed.
If your child is ready for a more rigorous school day, then kindergarten may be the right choice.
Kindergarten moves at a faster pace than most Young 5 programs.
Children should enter kindergarten with the basic personal, social, emotional, language, motor, and academic skills necessary to succeed in school.
NHA’s Partnership with Parents
The team at National Heritage Academies knows that a student’s education begins at home, and its schools strive to build a strong connection between home and school for each scholar.
This parent-teacher-child partnership is key to finding greater success and builds confidence for everyone.
Parents’ thoughts, questions, and concerns are valued at NHA schools. Their educators will work with you to teach your child and be a trusted resource for families.
When parents, teachers and students work together, they form a powerful connection between home and school — a partnership that can change a child’s life.
Contact NHA to learn more: they look forward to welcoming you — and to being on their team!
Apply to One of the Area NHA Schools
National Heritage Academies has two area schools – both with Young 5s and kindergarten programs.
Paramount Charter Academy, located in Kalamazoo, and Endeavor Charter Academy, located in Springfield/Battle Creek, are tuition-free, public charter schools managed by National Heritage Academies.
Any student who meets the age requirements may attend charter schools. They are held to the same standards as public schools.
Tour the Schools
Try these virtual tours to learn more about these local NHA schools in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
Paramount Charter Academy
3624 S Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Endeavor Charter Academy
380 N Helmer Rd, Springfield, MI 49037
Need More Information?
Want to know how you can help your child have the very best transition into kindergarten?
Request a free kindergarten readiness packet today by emailing cminear@nhaschools.com.
Paramount Charter Academy
3624 South Westnedge Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269-553-6400
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