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Catalina Foothills School District

FAQ for Kindergarten Parents

FAQ for Kindergarten Parents

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Congratulations on your kindergarten-age child! CFSD’s four elementary schools offer a free half-day program with an optional, supplemental, fee-based Kindergarten Plus (K+) program. In the months leading up to the start of the school year, families with kindergarten-age children* are invited to discover our commitment to early childhood learning through our Kindergarten Show and Tell dates. 

Whether your wondering how to apply for Kindergarten, what offerings are available for Kindergarten students, or what is taught at the Kindergarten level, this guide will help you and your student navigate the Kindergarten experience in Catalina Foothills School District.

  • Catalina Foothills School District operates half-day Kindergarten programs at all four elementary schools: Canyon View Elementary, Manzanita Elementary, Sunrise Drive Elementary, and Ventana Vista Elementary.

  • Yes. In Arizona, the state only provides funding for half-day Kindergarten. Like many districts, CFSD offers a full-day option through a fee-based program to cover the additional instructional time.

    Some neighboring districts may offer free full-day Kindergarten by using other funding sources that CFSD does not receive—such as grants or supplemental state funding based on socioeconomic factors. At CFSD, we remain committed to providing a high-quality Kindergarten experience in both our half-day and full-day programs.

  • Children must be five years of age by September 1, 2025 to become eligible for Kindergarten in school year 2025-2026.

  • In the months leading up to the school year, all four elementary schools off various dates for Kindergarten Show & Tell. At these events, families will learn about the free half-day Kindergarten program and the optional, supplemental, fee-based Kindergarten Plus (K ) program. Children will participate in activities with one of the school’s Kindergarten teachers. These “Show & Tell” sessions are one hour long followed by a thirty-minute tour of the school. 

    Canyon View Elementary 520-209-7700 – Dates TBA 

    Canyon View Kindergarten Video

    Manzanita Elementary 520-209-7800 – Dates TBA

    Manzanita Kindergarten Video 

    Sunrise Drive Elementary 520-209-7900 – Dates TBA  

    Sunrise Drive Kindergarten Video     CFSD's Chinese immersion program

    Ventana Vista Elementary 520-209-8000 –  Dates TBA

    Ventana Vista Kindergarten Video    CFSD's Spanish immersion program


           

     

  • Two elementary schools in Catalina Foothills School District offer immersion at the Kindergarten level. Sunrise Drive Elementary offers a Chinese Immersion program. Ventana Vista offers a Spanish Immersion program. Depending on enrollment, Kindergarten immersion programs could open from half-day Kindergarten to full-day, fee-based Kindergarten. 

  • Kindergarten Enrollment Steps 

    Please complete the steps below that apply to your family:

     

    Step 1: Open Enrollment Application
    Required for all Open Enrollment families
    Apply online here: CFSD Open Enrollment

     

    Step 2: District Online Registration (State-Funded Portion of the Day)
    Required for all families attending any kindergarten program

    Register online here: Register for School
     

    Step 3: Kindergarten Plus Registration (Full-Day Option)
    Only for families who want full-day kindergarten

    Register and pay here: Kindergarten Plus
    Click the teal card after login. (Refundable if not accepted into CFSD)

     

    Step 4: CARE (Before/After School Care)
    Only for families who want before/after school childcare (7:00–8:00 AM, 3:00–6:00 PM)

    Register and pay here: CARE Program

    Click the purple card after login. (Refundable if not accepted into CFSD)

  • Yes. For the 2026-2027 School Year, the open enrollment window is November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. Applicants who apply for open enrollment during this window are given equal consideration for enrollment following CFSD’s Governing Board Policies. If capacity is insufficient to enroll all students to a particular grade in a particular school, then they shall be selected through a random selection process. If there is additional capacity to accept students after January 31, we will respond to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Kindergarten students in class
  • Kindergarten students in class with teacher
  • Kindergarten students in class
  • Kindergarten students in class
  • Kindergarten students in class
  • Kindergarten student on swing
  • Kindergarten student in gym
  • Kindergarten student on trike
  • Kindergarten students drumming
  • Kindergarten student coloring