Kindergarten

Welcome to kindergarten at Hopkins Public Schools! We encourage young learners to pursue their interests, find their purpose, and discover their talents.

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In This Section

Welcome 2024-25 Kindergarten Families!

In Hopkins, we believe in creating a better world by inspiring all students to reach their full potential. When students feel heard, seen and valued, they can do their very best work.

We are excited to partner with you and your upcoming kindergartner. We invite you to a series of year-before-kindergarten events designed to help your family get to know your school community and learn more about Hopkins Public Schools, our amazing schools, and our kindergarten program — which is centered around your child's academic, social, and emotional success.

Hopkins Kindergarten Option Highlights

All-day kindergarten with Spanish curriculum at 6 elementary schools in Golden Valley, Hopkins, and Minnetonka.
Chinese immersion kindergarten located at Eisenhower Elementary.
Spanish immersion kindergarten located at Alice Smith Elementary and Eisenhower Elementary.
Outdoor Immersion kindergarten at Gatewood Elementary
Online project-based learning at VirtualEDU

Enroll Your Child

Tour a School

Sign-up for Notifications

Upcoming Events

Year-Before-Kindergarten Event Series

We look forward to meeting with you at series of information events designed to help you learn more about our kindergarten program and learning options. Anyone wanting to learn more about Hopkins kindergarten is welcome to attend these events.

Kindergarten Information Night - Nov. 16, 6-7:30 p.m.

Hopkins Public Schools' Districtwide Kindergarten Information Night is Thursday, November 16th from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hopkins High School!

We hope you and your future kindergartener will join us to learn more about how we encourage young learners to pursue their interests, find their purpose, and discover their talents. Welcome to kindergarten at Hopkins Public Schools!

This is the first in our series of year-before-kindergarten events designed to connect you to the Hopkins Public Schools community, to share information about each of our six unique elementary schools, and to answer your questions about starting kindergarten.

Meet each elementary principal, and learn about our curriculum, program offerings, and about our district’s vision of innovation from our superintendent Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. This event is designed for caregivers and their future kindergartners. While childcare will not be offered, there will be activities to engage children and allow families to talk to staff. Drop in for this Open House style event as your schedule allows. We’ll meet at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation from district leadership. Use your time before or after this presentation to visit with our school staff and other families with children entering kindergarten in Fall 2024.

Spanish, Somali, and Hmong language support will be available.

What to expect:

A presentation from Hopkins' Superintendent, Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed at 6:30 p.m. about what your child will experience at Hopkins Public Schools.
The ability to meet elementary principals and staff to learn more about our unique schools.
Fun activities for children.
Opportunities to learn about before- and after-school programs, language immersion options, and more.
An opportunity to connect with our enrollment team to address registration questions.
Spanish, Somali, and Hmong language support will be available to assist families.

Virtual Language Immersion Kindergarten Information Session - Nov. 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Join us for an informational session that will introduce the language immersion options that start in kindergarten at Hopkins Public Schools!

Meet Principals Eduardo Navidad and Melissa Ness at an online Kindergarten Immersion Information Session focused on exploring kindergarten language immersion options at Hopkins Public Schools and answering your immersion-related questions.

Families who are interested in learning more about Juntos Spanish Immersion and XinXing Chinese Immersion at Alice Smith and Eisenhower Elementary are encouraged to attend.

RSVP here

Registration Help - Extended Hours

Our enrollment team is always available to answer your questions by during our 8-5 business hours. To provide even more options for families, we’ve designated several evenings where our enrollment office will be open late to answer questions on how to enroll for kindergarten, upcoming deadlines, and more. Stop by our office, or meet with our team virtually.

In-Person Help Session: Dec. 5, 2023, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Help Session: Dec. 14, 2023, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
In-Person & Virtual Help Session: Jan. 11, 2024, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Kindergarten Roundup Events - Feb. 2024

Welcome Class of 2037!

Please join us for in person and virtual Kindergarten Roundup event designed to connect you and your future kindergartner with your school community. Meet our teachers and explore your school community! You will get to meet other parents and tour the kindergarten classrooms as well.

We look forward to meeting you! Registration will open soon.

Alice Smith Elementary Roundup: Feb. 29, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m.
Eisenhower Elementary Roundup: Feb. 20, 2024, 5-6:30 p.m.
Glen Lake Elementary Roundup: Feb. 27, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Gatewood Elementary Roundup: Feb. 22, 2024, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Meadowbrook Elementary Roundup: Feb. 22, 2024, 6-7:30 p.m.
Tanglen Elementary Roundup: Feb. 29, 2024, 5-6 p.m.
VirtualEDU Roundup (Virtual Session): Feb. 29, 2024, 6-7 p.m.

Principal Eduardo chatting with a student and parent

Kindergarten Bridge Events - May 2024

Kindergarten Playground Nights - Aug. 2024

WATCH: Explore Hopkins Kindergarten!

Have an online kindergarten adventure with your child!

This online adventure allows interested families and their scholars to virtually walk through a day in the life of a Hopkins kindergartener with interactive videos and activities. Learn more about our amazing schools, programs, and how to enroll at Hopkins.

Visit the Explore Kindergarten Virtual Adventure

Enroll in Kindergarten at Hopkins Public Schools

Step 1: Find Your School

To start, determine what K-12 school your scholar will attend by clicking on our School Finder tool. Once you enter the site, add your home address into the search bar to identify your schools of attendance. If you do not have an address or want to explore all schools you may click the "Find on Map" button to go directly to the map.

Find Your School

If your address does not connect to a school in the School Finder, please proceed to the Open Enrollment drop-down on the Enrollment page once you are ready to enroll.
If you want to enroll your kindergartner in a different school than designated:
- First, complete your Online Registration using your home school on the Enrollment page once you're ready to enroll.
- Then, complete the in-district transfer forms in the In-District Transfer drop-down.

Step 2: Schedule Your Child's Early Childhood Screening Before Starting Kindergarten

Early childhood screenings are a quick and simple check of how your child is growing and developing. Screenings are strongly recommended between the ages of three and four and are required before starting kindergarten. Early screenings are beneficial because if there are any areas of concern, early identification will allow time for your family to access services prior to entering kindergarten.

Appointment times fill very quickly. You can expect to find appointment times 4 to 6 weeks (or more) from today. Schedule now to reserve your space.

Questions? Please call 952-988-5017.

Schedule Your Child's Screening Appointment

2019 State of Minnesota Statute 121A.17 - Developmental Screenings

Step 3: Apply to Hopkins Kindergarten

Find enrollment information, application forms, and enroll your child online today!

We're excited to welcome your kindergartner to Hopkins Public Schools!

The deadline for Open Enrollment, In-District Transfer, Immersion, and VirtualEDU application forms is January 16, 2024. We encourage you to submit your child's forms ahead of the January deadline for the best chance to secure your child's spot at their preferred school. Application forms will need to be completed before the enrollment form. Once your application has been approved and you have been offered a spot at your child's school, you will be given instructions for how to complete the enrollment form.
In-district residents may enroll after the January 16, 2024 deadline, but we strongly encourage you to enroll ahead of the deadline to secure your spot.

Apply for Kindergarten

*Note: Enrollment application forms for the 2023-24 school year will be accepted starting November 16, 2023

What Your Kindergartener Will Experience at Hopkins

Our Elementary Schools

Hopkins Elementary Schools at a glance:

STEM learning begins in kindergarten. Our Engineering is Elementary (EiE) curriculum introduces student to deeper STEM concepts, collaboration skills, and problem solving.
Chinese and Spanish Immersion elementary programs start in kindergarten at Eisenhower and Alice Smith Elementary.
Outdoor Immersion kindergarten is offered at Gatewood Elementary.
Talent Development coordinators ensure elementary students have access to rigorous educational opportunities in core subject areas.
A staff of specialists are located at each school building including a social worker, counselor, special education teachers, and more to support your child.
Digital learning enriches the classroom experience, encourages critical thinking, and puts students at the center of their learning.
Social-emotional learning such as Yoga Calm and other self-regulation strategies create environments where students can thrive. Flexible classrooms give students agency over the space they need to support their learning.
Orchestra and band begin in elementary school.
iPads are provided to all elementary students and technology support is offered in English and Spanish.

Alice Smith

A neighborhood school with a strong community feel where all families are valued. Includes outdoor education, inquiry-based learning, STEAM specialist classes,
Spanish Immersion, and restorative practices that focus on the strengths of each child.

View Website

Eisenhower

Home to Eisenhower Community School, XinXing Chinese Immersion, Juntos Spanish Immersion, and is also an International Baccalaureate (IB) school.

View Website

Gatewood

An environmental focus school that helps students build connections to the natural world. Includes outdoor immersion classrooms, a greenhouse, on-site animals, and more!

View Website

Glen Lake

Home to Glen Lake GO, an experiential learning focused school that is fueled by monthly field trips, first-hand experiences, and connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences.

View Website

Meadowbrook

Students have ample opportunity to build their sense of self and use their voice. Through inquiry-based and personalized learning, scholars explore a range of learning experiences that will inspire and guide them toward a brilliant future.

View Website

L.H. Tanglen

Recognizes its students as deep thinkers who are curious, capable, and ready to explore the world around them. Tanglen offers integrated Spanish learning starting in kindergarten, STEM, and inquiry-based learning.

View Website

VirtualEDU

K-12 student-centered, project-based learning in an adaptable online format. Provides the schedule and environment flexibility families need in an online community setting.

View Website

Traits of a Hopkins Graduate

When your kindergartner graduates, they will be prepared for a brilliant future.

Your kindergartner is entering a school community committed to supporting and helping your child explore a wide range of meaningful and relevant learning experiences that will challenge and inspire.

When your child graduates, they will have traits that we believe will set them apart from their peers and set them up for 21st century success.

A Hopkins graduate:

Has their own Voice
is Empathetic
Is Confident
Is a Critical Thinker
Is Global and Well-Traveled
Is a Holistic Thinker

For questions about kindergarten curriculum, contact our Innovation, Design and Learning team:
952-988-4036.

Three kindergarten students play outside at a makeshift play kitchen area

Immersion Programs

Cross-cultural communication skills and global perspectives are essential in today's world.

Chinese and Spanish immersion programs are available to Hopkins District families and families who wish to open-enroll their children into Hopkins. The XinXing Academy and Juntos Elementary registration forms and open-enrollment applications are due January 16, 2024. A lottery system is used at the January deadline if there are more requests for slots than spaces allotted. Additional spaces may be available after the application deadline.

There is no fee to attend XinXing Academy or the Juntos Elementary Spanish immersion program. Transportation to Eisenhower or Alice Smith Elementary is available for all students who live within the Hopkins School District boundaries.

Immersion Enrollment Information
Carolina Lloyd, Enrollment Coordinator
Carolina.Lloyd@HopkinsSchools.org
952-988-4110

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XinXing Chinese Immersion at Eisenhower Elementary

XinXing Academy is Hopkins Public Schools' all-day Chinese immersion program located at Eisenhower Elementary. XinXing Academy provides children the opportunity to develop proficiency in a second language during their elementary years. Our goal is for XinXing students to reach an advanced level of proficiency by the end of grade 12, and to develop bi-literacy in both Chinese and English.

Our immersion classrooms follow the Hopkins Public Schools curriculum, except instruction is in Mandarin Chinese. In all grades, music, art and physical education are delivered in English, but we infuse Chinese cultural components into these classes whenever possible. In kindergarten through grade 2, students receive language arts/reading, math, science, social studies, and health instruction in Mandarin Chinese. Our teachers are native speakers of Chinese, and they strive to create a positive and authentic full-day immersion experience for your child.

Hopkins offers two Chinese immersion classrooms at each elementary grade level. Chinese immersion courses continue at Hopkins West Middle School and Hopkins High School. Students who complete the full Chinese immersion track will be prepared for advanced coursework in Chinese at the college level and can earn up to 16 college credits by graduation.

Learn More About Chinese immersion

Juntos Spanish Immersion at Alice Smith and Eisenhower Elementary

Juntos Elementary Spanish Immersion program provides children the opportunity to develop proficiency in a second language during their elementary years. In kindergarten, 90% of instruction is in Spanish and 10% is in English. Students learn to read and write in Spanish first, and English literacy instruction is increased gradually as they progress through the program. Our goal is to develop Spanish-English bilingual students. Students who speak a language other than English or Spanish at home may become trilingual.

Hopkins offers two Spanish immersion classrooms at each elementary grade level. Spanish immersion courses continue at Hopkins North Middle School through our Juntos Spanish Immersion program. Additionally, Hopkins High School offers College in the Schools courses in Spanish through the University of Minnesota and AP Spanish Literature. Students who complete the full Spanish immersion track will be prepared for advanced coursework in Spanish at the college level and can which can earn up to 16 college credits by graduation.

Learn More About Spanish Immersion

Outdoor Immersion Kindergarten

Learning and exploring in nature

Your child will build connections to the natural world as they spark their curiosity, inventiveness, and excitement for school. While each of our elementary schools prioritize outdoor exploration and observation, both Eisenhower Elementary and Gatewood Elementary have dedicated outdoor immersion classrooms. Gatewood is an environmental focus school and has an outdoor immersion kindergarten program, a greenhouse, and other outdoor spaces where students can connect with nature and engage all of their senses in learning.

When scholars have opportunities to go outside to learn, they become motivated, observant, collaborative, and self-directed. Lessons held outdoors increase student engagement in school — even after students return to indoor learning spaces.

Learn more

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Before- and After-School Care

Join Kids & Company school-age care!

Kids & Company is Hopkins Public Schools' before- and after-school care program for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. We offer engaging opportunities that encourage creativity and positive relationship-building and that complement Hopkins' focus on social-emotional learning.

A fee-based program, Kids & Company is offered in each of the District's six elementary schools and is typically open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids & Company offers flexible scheduling to fit your family's needs. Non-school day care and summer care is also available.

Learn More

Five students smile with arms around each other posing for picture.

Vision 2031: Transforming School

The future demands a different type of student — that's why Hopkins is transforming school from the ground up.

The next generation of students will be asked to solve some of the world's biggest and most complex problems. The traditional school system was designed to prepare students for industrial work. At Hopkins, we are preparing students for the future, not the past.

Your kindergartner will enter a school community that is committed to supporting and helping your child explore a wide range of meaningful and relevant learning experiences that will challenge and inspire.

The core values that define us are:

Authentic Inclusivity
Intentionally Adventurous
Optimistic Innovation
Humility of Heart
Vigilant Equity
Love

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