Minnetonka schools offer a half-day or extended-day kindergarten program for children who are five years old by September 1. At each of the six elementary schools, the half-day program is about 2 ½ hours, either in the morning or in the afternoon. Children are placed in a.m. or p.m. kindergarten sessions based on bus routes. If you have questions about which option is the best fit for your child or family, please contact your school principal.
Extended Day K
Another option for kindergarten is the Extended Day K program. Extended Day K is offered at each of the elementary schools. This program is an all-day, every day option that includes the traditional half-day kindergarten curriculum with another half day of enrichment activities. In Extended Day K, children stay in the same classroom for the full school day, with the same kindergarten teacher. The enrichment half of the kindergarten day is tuition-based. Extended Day K is designed for those children who are ready for a longer day in a learning environment. It is not intended to accelerate students, but rather to provide an enrichment experience. The Extended Day Kindergarten fee is $4,100 for the year, plus a $100 registration fee. Payment plans are available.
Language Immersion Kindergarten
The Minnetonka Language Immersion Program is a school-within-a- school immersion program offered at each of the District’s six elementary schools. The program begins in kindergarten and families have a choice between Spanish and Chinese Immersion. Learn more about the Immersion Program.
The Immersion kindergarten option is available as a half-day option or fee-based extended day option. Students are exposed to the target language for a longer period of time in the Extended Day Kindergarten.
Families who enroll their children in kindergarten are asked to make a six-year commitment to the Immersion program.
Entrance into the Immersion program is available only at the kindergarten level. Students who wish to enroll in any other grade must demonstrate language proficiency appropriate for that grade level.
Ready Start Kindergarten
Ready Start Kindergarten is a program designed for a small number of children with summer birthdays who may not be ready, socially or academically, for a traditional half-day of Kindergarten. This half-day, every-day Kindergarten option is tailored to younger attention spans, and class size is limited. Choice time and hands-on activities provide students more opportunities to strengthen social and emotional skills. A language-rich environment builds early literacy and academic skills through stories, math manipulatives, puppets and themes, such as letter of the week. Parent involvement is a strength of the program.
Transportation is provided for District children to Ready Start Kindergarten, which is currently offered at two schools. Ready Start Kindergarten was developed for families struggling over the decision to start Kindergarten or wait another year. For more information about Ready Start Kindergarten, contact your school principal.
Explorers Club Opposite Kindergarten
Minnetonka Community Education Services Explorer's Club provide a child care option for students enrolled in the half-day of extended day program for the remainder of the school day. Explorers Club is a fee-based program that can be combined with music lessons, dance, and other enrichment activities. Before- and after-school care is also available through the Explorers Club at each elementary from 6:30 am - 6:00 pm. More about enrollment options, fee schedules, and other information is available on the Explorers webpage.