Joplin Schools Begins Pre-Enrollment for Kindergarten 2024–2025

Joplin Schools’ kindergarten pre-enrollments are now being accepted for the 2024–2025 academic year! Children who will be five years old before August 1, 2024, and who live within district boundaries are eligible to attend Joplin Schools kindergarten programs.

Enrollments for all incoming students, including kindergartners, began online on February 12, 2024.

Parents and guardians who wish to begin the enrollment process should click here. Incoming kindergarten-age students will start with a re-enrollment form. Once pre-enrollment is complete, parents should watch their email inbox for a message from their child’s school. This email will include a link that invites them to create a Parent Portal account where they can complete all the forms in the digital enrollment packet.

“We want to make sure our new incoming kindergarten families don’t stop at the pre-enrollment form, but continue on with the link they’re emailed for full enrollment,” said Joplin Schools Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Dr. Sarah Mwangi. “Pre-enrollment is that important first step so we can meet our newest little Eagles!”

Once all online forms have been completed, parents of incoming kindergarten-age students should bring the following state-required documents to their child’s school:

• Parent/guardian’s photo I.D.
• Child’s state-issued birth certificate
• Child’s up-to-date immunization records
• Proof of residency (current utility bill, lease agreement, or other document)
• Proof of guardianship if the student lives with someone other than a parent
• Other legal documentation of custody agreements, if necessary

School staff will work with parents to check that the enrollment process is complete and to schedule a kindergarten screening. Kindergarten screenings will be scheduled March 25 through April 5 at each elementary school.

Kindergarten screeners will not only be assessing typical kindergarten readiness measures, but will also be gathering data on which students will be eligible for inclusion in the district’s SOAR Transitional Kindergarten program. SOAR is a year-long class that invites eligible kindergarten-age students who can benefit from the gift of time and experience before beginning kindergarten. The vast majority of kindergarten enrollees will be placed into traditional kindergarten classrooms district-wide.

Incoming kindergartners who are currently enrolled in preschool at Joplin Early Childhood (JEC) do not need to pre-enroll. Families of JEC students will receive more details about kindergarten enrollment from their teacher soon, and will follow a similar screening process in their new elementary buildings. JEC families with questions about kindergarten enrollment should contact JEC at 417.625.5275.

For more information about how to pre-enroll for kindergarten, please contact your child’s elementary school or call 417.625.5200. Full enrollment steps are also available online.

Reference:

Joplin Schools
417.625.5200