All-Day Kindergarten FAQ

Why is there a phase-in for ADK? Why can’t all elementary schools offer this program now?

A: All-day kindergarten is made possible thanks to support from our voters, who approved a referendum in November 2018 that will allow us to renovate schools and build additional classroom space for ADK at every neighborhood elementary school. We need to build some of the space first, in order to have room for our kindergarteners. However, parents and community members have repeatedly asked for this option as soon as possible. Rather than wait for all the space to be completed, we will start to offer ADK in some of our school spaces, and then fully implement the program by the 2023-24 school year.

Will there be a lottery system for placement into all day kindergarten? 

A: As All-Day Kindergarten (ADK) is in full implementation for school year 2023-24, there will be NO lottery for ADK. 

There will be a lottery for any family outside of Conrad Fischer would like a spot in the Dual -Language program.  There will be a limited number of spots available via the lottery. 

How will all-day kindergarten compare to the half-day kindergarten? 

A: Students in both programs will receive the Elmhurst District 205 kindergarten
curriculum that will prepare them to be ready for first grade and beyond. However, students in D205 all-day kindergarten will receive full kindergarten curriculum with expanded opportunities for literacy, math, science, social studies, social/emotional learning, and specials.

The benefits of an all-day kindergarten:

• increased academic preparedness and stamina
• greater exposure to educational experiences
• time to explore content learning at a deeper level
• increased enrichment and remediation opportunities to meet students’ needs
• extended opportunities for interaction and social experiences with other children
• increased social, emotional, and behavioral learning
• higher student achievement

 What schedule does the all-day kindergarten follow?

A: The ADK program follows the Elmhurst District 205 attendance calendar and traditional elementary school hours.

How will students be selected?

A:  If a parent/guardian chose the Dual-Language preference during their in-person registration this choice will be processed through a lottery system for any remaining spots.

Is transportation provided for kindergarteners?

A: The same criteria will be used for kindergarteners as for other grade levels when determining whether transportation is provided. Therefore, based on home address, identified walk zones, and schools under construction, some kindergarteners will be provided transportation while others may not.

Will kindergarten students have lunch/recess?

A: Yes, school lunch will be available to kindergarten students, or they are welcome to bring a healthy lunch from home.  Hot lunch can be paid using a debit system on their ID. Monthly lunch menus can be accessed on the website under the Parents tab. Students in all day kindergarten will have recess for 30 minutes during the lunch hour and a short recess during another portion of their school day.

Will all-day kindergarten students have a nap time?

A: We find that students adjust rather quickly to their new routine. However, teachers do utilize concepts like Responsive Classroom or brain breaks to allow students to re-energize, rest, and refocus.

Will all-day kindergarten students participate in specials?

A: Yes, like grades 1-5, all day kindergarten students will participate in a typical elementary school day which includes PE, Art, Music, and Library Media Center (LMC). Students in a half day program will not attend specials.

The All-Day Kindergarten curriculum is designed using a play-based, whole child approach with a focus on interdisciplinary learning. The students who are in the All-Day program will learn the same content and curricular topics that students in a half-day program learn. The afternoon in All-Day Kindergarten will provide opportunities to enrich and deepen the student's experience with each of the content topics. The ADK Instructional Team has designed play-based centers that are connected to the topics the students are learning in Science and Social Studies. During the play-based center time the students will have opportunities to authentically explore and create with their teacher in order to support the students social-emotional growth. For more information on the curriculum and content in kindergarten, check out the ADK Parent Framework.

For the school year 2023-24, the tuition for the all-day kindergarten program is $2,700 per student, which can be paid in full or in monthly installments of $270 a month. Each year, the District will use the Financial Assistance Waiver process to determine if a student is eligible for reduced or free ADK tuition. If eligible for reduced tuition, the tuition is $1,350 per student, which can be paid in full or in monthly installments of $135 a month.   

The Dual Language and Self Contained programs do not require tuition.

There is also a registration fee for all kindergarten students.  For the 2022-23 school year that fee was $177.