Kindergarten

All elementary schools in the Bellingham School District will offer a kindergarten program. Kindergarten start and end times will be the same as the schedule for grades one through five. For the regular kindergarten program, the schedule will be a full-day, every other day. Details about the schedule will be posted here later this spring. The full-day schedule — instead of a half-day schedule  — is more effective for the High Scope instructional method. It also reduces the district's transportation costs and saves other resources. There is no cost to families for regular kindergarten.

For families that prefer a full-day, every day kindergarten schedule, this option will be offered at Alderwood, Carl Cozier, Happy Valley, Lowell, Northern Heights, Parkview, Roosevelt, Silver Beach and Wade King elementary schools on a space available basis.Because Washington state does not fund full-day every day kindergarten in our district, Bellingham needs to operate this expanded pilot program at no cost to the district due to budget challenges. Therefore, tuition will be charged on a sliding scale based on a family’s qualifying income for free/reduced meals. Full Tuition is $3,500 paid over ten months, Reduced Tuition is $2,000 paid over ten months, and Limited Tuition is $1,000 paid over ten months. Payment options are available. Available spaces will be filled by lottery based upon applications received by 4 p.m. March 24.

Preference is given to those living in the pilot schools’ attendance areas. A waiting list will be developed. A minimum number of students need to enroll or full-day every day sections will be converted to regular kindergarten. Families living outside of the pilot schools’ attendance areas may apply for full-time kindergarten, but will need to provide their own transportation if selected. They should register at their neighborhood school and indicate their preference for full-time at a pilot school. Non-refundable deposits/payments will be required to hold assigned spots. A lottery will be held on Friday, March 26 to fill full-time openings. Families will be notified by early April. The full-time kindergarten pilot program has been expanded to include more schools and build sustainability. For a full-day, every day kindergarten FAQ, please click here.

Children must be five before Sept. 1 to begin kindergarten. Children attend their neighborhood school. View school attendance maps.  There are 14 elementary schools in Bellingham, serving kindergarten through grade five.

Our average class size for kindergarten through third grade is about 22 children to one teacher. 

Kindergarten registration is ongoing but families are encouraged to register in early spring.  Please contact your neighborhood school to register.  Click here for the 2010 Kindergarten Open House and Tour Schedule.