Kindergarten 101

Reading

• Understand how print works: recognizes letter names, left to right/top to bottom direction, spaces between words. 
• Understand how sounds make up words.
• Use grade-level phonics and word recognition skills when reading.
• Read and understand grade level material.

Writing

• Use letters and spaces to write words and sentences.
• Match sounds to letters.
• Share a personal opinion.
• Share information about a topic.
• Share a personal experience.

Speaking, Viewing, Listening, and Exchanging Ideas

• Discuss ideas, stories, and experiences by speaking and listening to others.
• Share thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.

Mathematics

• Match numbers, up to 31, to a set of objects.
• Use objects and pictures to show addition and subtraction problems.
• Recognize, create, and extend patterns.
• Recognize and sort two- and three-dimensional shapes.
• Compare objects according to size, length, weight, and position.

Science

• Understand how a person may reduce the amount of natural resources they use.
• Make observations of local weather conditions to describe seasonal patterns.
• Identify and describe patterns related to the effects of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
• Describes what plants and animals need to survive.
   

 Art

• Explore ideas by looking at other artists.
• Create original artworks in a variety of mediums.
• Share thoughts and feelings about art.

Music

• Choose a musical sound to share.
• Make musical choices for performance using musical opposites (e.g., long/short, high/low).
• Identify musical opposites while listening to music.

Physical Education

• Hop, gallop, slide, skip, and run while maintaining balance.
• Roll and throw underhand with the opposite foot forward.
• Actively participate in physical activities. 

Yes! Our talented kindergarten teachers are ready for all children.  They can address each child's unique learning needs, whatever their skills, when they walk in the door. 

Preschool 3s

• Children in the preschool program for 3-year-olds (Preschool 3s) are not eligible for transportation.

Preschool 4s

• Children in the preschool program for 4-year-olds (Preschool 4s) who live within the school district boundaries are eligible for transportation. You apply for bussing as part of the Preschool 4s enrollment process. Here are some important things to know:

  • We do not transport to any location outside the district boundaries.
  • Community school boundaries apply. This means that if you live west of Nicollet, we will not provide transportation to Centennial, and if you live east of Nicollet, we will not provide transportation to Sheridan Hills.
  • Transportation requests must be made by July 31 to ensure your child is assigned to a bus stop in time for the first day of school. 
  • An adult must be with the child at the bus stop for drop off and pick up. If no adult is at the bus stop, the driver will not let your child off the bus at drop off. 
  • Preschool students sit in the front seats on the bus.   
  • School buses do NOT stop in front of houses for pick-up and drop-off.  

Kindergarten

• Students in kindergarten are eligible for transportation if they live within the school district boundaries and are one mile or more from school. Here are some important things to know:
  • We do not transport to any location outside the District boundaries. 
  • Community school boundaries apply. This means that if you live west of Nicollet, we will not provide transportation to Centennial, and if you live east of Nicollet, we will not provide transportation to Sheridan Hills. 

Students Receiving Special Services

• For students receiving special services within the District, we partner with select contracted bus companies to provide transportation to and from school. This includes students in special education programs who qualify for special education transportation service and students who are considered homeless or highly mobile. Your child's case manager or the school social worker can help discern if they are eligible for transportation services. 

Visit our Transportation Page to Learn More

Children who are five-years-old on or before September 1 of the kindergarten year are eligible for kindergarten in the fall. If you’d like to request an early entrance for your child, you must contact your choice school’s principal to receive written permission.

The State of Minnesota requires that all children be screened before they enter kindergarten. This is a free and simple check of how your child is growing and developing, which includes hearing, vision, speech and motor abilities. Learn more about early childhood screening and make an appointment if you child hasn’t completed this yet.

The information on the Our Schools page will provide you with an overview of each of our schools.

In Richfield Public Schools, you have four great elementary school choices, including two neighborhood schools (Centennial Elementary and Sheridan Hills Elementary) and two magnet schools (Richfield STEM Elementary and Richfield Dual Language School). We also encourage you to reach out to the principal of each school you’re interested in to arrange a tour.

Regardless of which school you choose, your child will move from early learning fundamentals in reading, writing and math, to studies in science, social studies and literature. Our dedicated and experienced staff attend to each student’s unique learning needs with personalized support. Our high academic standards for all subjects are carried through all of our elementary schools and your child will be provided with a stimulating and nurturing environment in which to thrive.

1. Start with the online enrollment form found on the Enrollment page

2. Once we receive your information, someone from will contact you to welcome you to the District and talk to you about next steps. They will also provide you with the additional paperwork necessary to complete enrollment for your child, including:

• Student Enrollment Form
• Student Immunization Form
• Minnesota Language Survey
• Minnesota Ethnic and Racial Demographics Form
• Health Emergency Form
• You'll also need to be able to provide: 
  • Birth certificate (or other reliable proof of student identity and age)
  • Early childhood screening results

Once you complete and submit all enrollment forms, your child is enrolled in Richfield Public Schools! 

Once enrolled, you may be asked to complete additional forms, including:

• The Application for Educational Benefits: We encourage all families to complete this form, regardless of income.
• Opt-Out Form: We love to celebrate our students! This includes photos on our website, social media and marketing materials. We also use student photos in yearbooks and other internal celebrations. If you do not want your child’s photo to be used, please complete the opt-out form. It needs to be filled out each year. 

You will find out who your child’s teacher is in late August. In the meantime, explore your school's website! In the Family Resources section, you can find school supply lists, helpful apps to download, PTO information and more! Take a few minutes to follow your child's new school on Facebook or the District on Instagram. 

We are excited to have you and your child as part of the RPS family!