Sioux Falls to expand free all-day junior kindergarten to four schools; enrollment opens Feb. 3

The Sioux Falls School District announced an expansion of its Junior Kindergarten Academy on Jan. 27, saying the free, all-day program will be offered at Cleveland and Hayward elementary schools this coming fall in addition to Robert Frost and JFK elementary schools.

District officials said the program is for children who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 and may benefit from additional time to develop literacy, numeracy, gross motor, social and emotional skills. Enrollment for both kindergarten and the Junior Kindergarten Academy opens Feb. 3, with a school preview event scheduled for March 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The district described the Junior Kindergarten Academy as a full-day model in which “academic instruction takes place for one half of the day and the other half of the day is spent on social, emotional [and] physical growth skills.” District staff noted it can be a good option for children with summer birthdays and that busing and after-school CLC care options may be available where applicable.

Superintendent and board comments emphasized that participation is a parental decision and that the district will publicize details via social media and its website. The district also said enrollment is not limited to registering on the first day it opens; families may register after Feb. 3.

The board approved the regular meeting minutes and agenda earlier in the session and acknowledged the announcement during the meeting’s good-news report segment; board members encouraged parents to attend the March 6 preview event and to consult the district website for program specifics and enrollment steps.

Enrollment and program information, including eligibility and how the Junior Kindergarten Academy differs from standard kindergarten, are available on the district website and via the district’s communications channels.