Kindergarten Registration

The District was forced to modify its enrollment process after schools were abruptly closed in March to slow the spread of COVID-19. Traditional Kindergarten Roundups at our elementary schools had to be canceled as a result of the school closure.

To enroll in kindergarten, students must be five years old by September 1. Waivers are available for students who will turn five after September 1 but before December 1.  For parents already living in the district, the waivers need to be submitted by June 1. See the District website at https://dearbornschools.org/enroll for the waiver and more information.

Dearborn Public Schools also offers a free Young Fives program for students who will turn five between June 15 and December 1 this year. That all-day program is offered at select schools and follows the kindergarten curriculum. Young Fives is held at DuVall, Geer Park, Haigh, Henry Ford, Lindbergh, Maples, McCollough, Oakman, River Oaks, Salina, Snow, Whitmore-Bolles and William Ford elementary schools. The extra year allows those children to better develop the academic and emotional skills they need to succeed in school. The following year they would enroll in kindergarten at their neighborhood school. Parents interested in the program will need to enroll their child in the District and can contact Student Services to learn more.

Preschool Registration

Parents interested in the state-sponsored GSRP preschool can sign up to receive more information about registration when it becomes available at https://cotter.dearbornschools.org/. The Great Start Readiness Program is not accepting official applications yet while awaiting more direction from the state.  GSRP is open to low-income and working-class families at no cost to the family.

The District is also accepting registration for paid programs for the fall, including preschool programs and before and afterschool childcare. Parents interested in those programs can learn more by visiting https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/earlychildhood/. Scroll down on the home page to find a list of programs and prices for next school year.  Registration forms are available under a separate tab and can be printed and mailed in to reserve your spot. Children in paid programs do not need to reside in Dearborn Public Schools.