Jr. Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. 

Sign-up Process for Jr. Kindergarten (JK):

If you are interested in the Jr. Kindergarten program for next year and want to sign up for a screening appointment, you will follow the steps below.

Step 1: Read the qualifications below and fill out the survey to indicate your interest in the JK program. Here is a link to the survey.  

Step 2: After submitting the survey, a link will appear to sign-up for JK Screening appointment. Screening dates and times are March 18  and March 19, 2024, 7:00 -9:00 a.m. and 3:30-5:00 p.m., April 1, 2024, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Screenings last approximately 30 minutes with the student in the areas of literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development. Guardians will need to bring Proof of Residency and Birth Verification to the screening appointment.

PLEASE NOTE: If there is not a screening time slot available, please contact Jill at 319-447-3303 to schedule one.

Step 3: Attend your scheduled JK Screening date and time.

Step 4: Linn-Mar will email you within a week of the screening to confirm enrollment in JK or Kindergarten.

(Enrollment in the JK program will be determined at the screening appointment by data collected from parents and students to help identify how we can best meet your child’s needs. Parents will be notified within a week of the close of screening whether or not their child qualifies for JK.)

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Important Information about Jr. Kindergarten (JK):

Our district offers an all-day alternative kindergarten program called Jr. Kindergarten (JK).  The JK program offers a blended approach to learning that includes a mix of early childhood education and elementary education.  This is a full-day program that runs on the same calendar as the school district. The school day will focus on social, emotional, and behavioral growth as well as have a literacy and math focus. Below is important information about our program:

• Children must turn 5 years of age between March 15, 2024, and September 15, 2024, to qualify to be screened.
• A student must qualify based on their screening score to participate in the program.
• A year of JK is followed by a year of full-day kindergarten.
• A student attending JK would be considered as being retained in kindergarten.
• All JK locations are at Novak Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year and are full-day programs (8:30 am -3:15 pm). 
• The location of the JK program is evaluated annually placement may change based on district-wide enrollment numbers. 
• Before and after-school care is provided at a cost to the family. You will need to contact Novak Elementary for more details. 
• Program outcomes are based on Iowa CORE kindergarten standards that have been selected to align with kindergarten outcomes that are appropriate for students who are receiving an additional year of instruction.
• Enrollment in this program will be determined at the screening appointment by data collected from parents and students to help identify how we can best meet your child’s needs. Parents will be notified within a week of the screening whether or not their child qualifies for JK.

Within all programming options, the developmental needs of the child will be monitored regularly to ensure the current placement is appropriate for the child. Teacher and parent communication is important during the first several months of school so that the educational experience of the child is successful.

Elementary Director of Teaching and Learning: Karla Ries 319-447-3013