Kindergarten Registration
Lakota is proud to offer all-day kindergarten to all our youngest learners - with the option for half-day kindergarten, if desired.
Visit Lakota's kindergarten webpage for more program details, including locations, early entrance requirements and frequently asked questions.
Registration
Current School Year: When enrolling for the current school year, we welcome new kindergarten students on a rolling basis all year long.
Next School Year: Online registration for incoming kindergartners for the following school year usually begins in early February. More specific information and dates will be available below at the start of registration season. Please consider these important reminders:
- Age Requirement: To qualify for the following school year, students must be five years old on or before August 1.
- Current Lakota Preschool Students: If you completed the online registration for preschool, you do not need to register for kindergarten. Current Lakota preschool students will be automatically registered for kindergarten, unless alternative plans have been communicated.
- Current Head Start Preschool Students: If you are a current Head Start preschool student, you WILL need to complete the online registration for kindergarten.
- Attendance Zone: Use our interactive map to enter your address and view the schools in your attendance zone.
- Required Documents: All families are invited to register online, where you will be asked to upload the required documents (including the most recent record of immunization) and then schedule a final enrollment review by the Welcome Center team; this step does not require parent/guardian participation or attendance at a meeting.
If all required documents are not received by your scheduled appointment, your appointment will be rescheduled.
![Little boy smiling against brick wall with shirt that reads "First day of kindergarten"; Writing appears to be in red crayon]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706647863/lakotaonlinecom/ef9wb8uixqqosb7kxvw1/Registrationthumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706647863/lakotaonlinecom/ef9wb8uixqqosb7kxvw1/Registrationthumbnail.png","width":500}])
Registration for new Lakota students in grades K-12 for the 2024-2025 school year, including incoming kindergartners, opens Feb. 1. Early kindergarten registration extends through April 5.
All incoming kindergarten students are eligible for Lakota’s all-day program, with the option to enroll in the half-day program, if desired. Lakota’s all-day kindergarten classes will be held at six K-2 early childhood schools, including Creekside, Heritage, Hopewell, Liberty, Shawnee and Wyandot. The time and location of the half-day program will be determined at a later date based on total enrollment, but has been a morning session hosted at Wyandot ECS in recent years.
Please note that students must be five years old on or before Aug. 1 in order to enroll in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. Current Lakota preschool students will be automatically registered, unless alternative plans have been communicated.
After completing the online registration process, parents will be prompted to schedule an enrollment review by the Welcome Center team; this step does not require parent/guardian participation or attendance at a meeting. Please note that if all required documents are not received via the online portal by your scheduled review, you will be contacted and it will be rescheduled.
Kindergarten Open House & Virtual Readiness Session
Parents are encouraged to register in advance of the in-person open houses for incoming kindergartners happening at each of Lakota’s six early childhood schools on Thursday, April 18 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Make plans to attend the open house at your child’s future school, as determined by your attendance zone (use our interactive map to enter your address and find your assigned school). Get a basic introduction to Lakota, meet the principal and other key staff, tour the school, and learn more about Lakota’s kindergarten program.
As a follow-up to the building-hosted open houses, all incoming kindergarten parents are also invited to the district’s virtual “Kindergarten Readiness” session on May 2 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Attend to get guidance for preparing your child academically, socially and emotionally for their kindergarten experience. Also, learn about Lakota's approach to beginning of the year testing and class placement, phase-in days as well as the consistent facets of "a day in the life" of a Lakota kindergartner.
The virtual session will be recorded and, for those who missed their building’s open house, will review basic school procedures for areas like transportation, child nutrition, clinic services and communications.
Visit the kindergarten registration site for more details, including a list of frequently asked questions, and to register online. All questions can be directed to the Welcome Center at (513) 682-4120 or enroll@lakotaonline.com.
Open Houses
Each spring, parents of incoming kindergartners are encouraged to attend the Kindergarten Open House at the early childhood school they will attend in the fall. Get a basic introduction to Lakota, meet the principal and other key staff, tour the school, and learn more about Lakota’s kindergarten program.
Register in advance during the early registration period before attending the open houses for 2024-2025 kindergartners happening at each of Lakota’s six early childhood schools on Thursday, April 18 from 6-7 p.m.
Readiness Session
As a follow-up to the building-hosted open houses for incoming kindergartners, Lakota hosts a virtual “Kindergarten Readiness” session. The webinar will share guidance for preparing your child academically, socially and emotionally for their kindergarten experience. Also, learn about Lakota's approach to beginning of the year testing and class placement, phase-in days as well as the consistent facets of "a day in the life" of a Lakota kindergartner.
First Grade Requirement
If enrolling a first grade student who did not attend a public or chartered non-public school for kindergarten, the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce requires that the parents/guardians provide confirmation from their kindergarten provider that the teacher met the certification requirements outlined by the Ohio Department of Education.
The required documentation is the kindergarten teacher’s state teaching certificate or license. Families are responsible for obtaining the required documentation. Enrollment into first grade may be delayed until confirmation is received.