Centerville to pilot all-day kindergarten program for 80 students next year

The Centerville Board of Education heard a plan on Dec. 15 to pilot all‑day kindergarten at two K–1 buildings next school year, offering two sections at each building and a total of 80 seats.

An unnamed district presenter told the board the district first began discussing all‑day kindergarten in 2017 and that declining kindergarten enrollment has made a limited pilot possible. "We are able to offer 2 sections of all day kindergarten in each of our K–1 buildings for next year," the presenter said, describing sections of 20 students each. Seats will be filled by lottery, and the presenter said additional information on enrollment and the lottery process will be provided.

The presenter placed the pilot in context: nationwide and statewide adoption of full‑day kindergarten is common, with the presenter noting that 92% of districts statewide offer all‑day kindergarten and similar districts average about 79% access. The board did not take an immediate vote on the pilot during the meeting; the presenter indicated more information would be shared with families and that advertising for kindergarten enrollment will include the lottery detail.

District officials said the pilot is intended to give more instructional time for early learners and to align access with neighboring districts that already offer full‑day kindergarten.