Canyons School District urges early applications for preschool, kindergarten; details programs and deadlines
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Summary
District staff explained preschool and kindergarten enrollment windows, program options including dual language and gifted programs, waiting lists, and deadlines for half-day kindergarten during a Connect Canyons podcast.
Canyons School District staff urged families to apply early for preschool and kindergarten enrollment and described program options, deadlines and waiting-list procedures during a district podcast.
On the Connect Canyons show, host Frances Cook spoke with district staff members Terri, Kenna and Desiree about early childhood classrooms, program choices and how families can register. “In preschool, we focus on social development and language development and learning how to problem solve,” said Terri, Canyons School District staff, describing the district’s hands-on, active-learning approach. “You won’t see things like worksheets.”
The discussion set out practical deadlines and enrollment processes. The district opened applications for tuition-based preschool on Jan. 8 and is filling those seats on a first-come, first-served basis; staff said waiting lists will be kept as programs fill. Returning preschool students eligible to re-enroll must indicate intent by Feb. 28 to keep their spot, the district said. Families who live in Title I school boundaries can apply for Title I preschool beginning March 1 until slots are filled.
For kindergarten, the district offers both full-day and half-day options. Kenna, Canyons School District staff, said state legislation now allows the district to offer free full-day kindergarten. Families who prefer a half-day program must declare that preference to a principal by Feb. 28, 2025, so the district can plan staffing. “If a parent chooses half day, we have to provide a minimum of language arts as well as math,” Kenna said, referencing recent state legislation.
Program-specific notes: dual language immersion (DLI) programs generally begin in first grade at most elementary schools; Midvale Elementary maintains a kindergarten Spanish DLI. DLI placements use a lottery system; staff said Spanish DLI programs are full for the 2025–26 school year, though some French and Chinese DLI seats may remain. The SALTA program for gifted and talented students requires testing; Kenna said the testing window and application for 2025–26 has closed and families should watch for the 2026–27 cycle. Staff reiterated that waiting lists will be used to fill openings when they occur.
Staff walked through logistics parents can use to evaluate schools: find a boundary school via the district website, review each elementary’s kindergarten orientation tab, and attend spring kindergarten open houses to tour classrooms and meet teachers. “That will then help us with our staffing for next year,” Kenna said of the Feb. 28 timeline for half-day declarations.
Practical details for preschool: sessions are half-day (about two hours and 30 minutes) offered as morning or afternoon; tuition-based preschool allows families to select how many days per week to attend and pay accordingly. Enrollment is ongoing until classes are full but early application increases the chance of securing a preferred slot, Terri said. Staff also encouraged everyday preparation at home—reading nightly, practicing routines, basic counting and fine-motor skills such as holding scissors or crayons—to ease the transition.
The episode closed with contact information and a reminder that schools will place families on listservs once they notify the school of an upcoming kindergartner. For more information, the district directs families to canyonsdistrict.org and the district communications email.
