Starting kindergarten is a major milestone for children and their families. Rest assured; the Sioux City Community School District is ready to make the transition a memorable experience for every family.
Step One: Locate Your Child's Boundary School
First, families must determine their child's boundary school by using our boundary map tool. Families who do not live within the district boundary must apply for open enrollment.
Step Two: Choose Between Transitional Kindergarten (TK) & Kindergarten
Deciding when to register a child for kindergarten isn’t always easy. Many families question whether their child is ready for school – academically, emotionally, or socially. Fortunately, transitional kindergarten (TK) offers families another option if they aren’t sure their child isn't ready for the rigors of kindergarten.
What is TK?
TK serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, providing students with seamless schooling as they embark on their academic careers. It gives children another year to develop physically, socially, and academically before entering kindergarten. In addition, it helps promote self-confidence and independence in children before they enter kindergarten.
The Sioux City Community School District will offer TK classrooms at four of the District’s elementary schools during the 2024-2025 school year. These schools include Liberty Elementary, Nodland Elementary, Perry Creek Elementary, and Unity Elementary. To be eligible for TK, children must be five years old by September 15 of that school year. A year of TK is always followed by a year of kindergarten.
Should I Choose TK or Kindergarten?
Many parents are unsure if they should enroll their child in TK or kindergarten. If you answer yes to any of the following questions, kindergarten may be a good option for your child. If you answer no to any of these questions, TK may be a good program for your child.
- Does my child like to play with other children?
- Does my child initiate conversations with others?
- Is my child willing to share materials?
- Is my child unafraid of new situations and environments?
- Can my child easily accept “no” for an answer?
- Can my child keep their hands to themselves?
- Does my child show an interest in learning letters and numbers?
- Can my child sit attentively when being read to?
- Does my child show good self-control?
Step Three: Complete Online Pre-Registration
Families must complete online pre-registration before attending registration day.
Step Four: Attend Your Child’s On-Site Registration Day
Transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten registration days are a great way for families to get familiar with a new school. Families can meet teachers, see classrooms, and learn what to expect in the year ahead.
School | Kindergarten Registration Dates | TK Registration Dates |
|---|---|---|
Bryant Elementary | March 15 & 18 (Fri, Mon) | |
Hunt A+ Arts Elementary | April 3 | |
Irving Dual Language Elementary | April 8 & 9 | |
Leeds Elementary | March 21 & 22 | |
Liberty Elementary | April 29 & 30 | April 29 & 30 |
Loess Hills Computer Programming Elementary | April 12 | |
Morningside STEM Elementary | May 3 & 6 (Fri, Mon) | |
Nodland Elementary | May 8 | May 8 |
Perry Creek Elementary | April 4 & 5 | April 4 & 5 |
Riverside Elementary | April 10 | |
Spalding Park Environmental Sciences Elementary | May 9 & 10 | |
Unity Elementary | May 7 | May 7 (1:30-2:30 pm) |
Makeup Registration Day (for any family who missed their designated registration day) | May 14 |
Learn more about our registration days here >>
Optional Step: Attend a Free Immunization Clinic
To help your child get ready for school, the Sioux City Community School District has partnered with Siouxland District Health Department to offer free, onsite immunization clinics for qualifying students during kindergarten registration. Eligible children will be able to get their required vaccinations for school during this time.
To qualify, children must be uninsured or underinsured or be enrolled in Medicaid, Molina, ITC, or AMG. Families with private health insurance should contact their primary doctor for their child’s vaccinations.
Families must complete a health history and consent form and a required vaccine form and turn the forms in to our school office to attend.
View clinic dates and required forms here >>
Questions? Contact Central Registration at 712-279-6739