TCAPS Kindergarten Program

2025-2026 Registration Opens Mid - February 

Traditional Kindergarten is available at all TCAPS elementary schools. TCAPS’ kindergarten classes are taught by experienced, certified, early childhood teachers. Students attend a full day, five days per week. School day times vary depending on school location. The kindergarten program is based on a set of engaging standards, aligns with the State of Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and is intended to prepare children for first grade upon successful completion. Language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education are all part of the curriculum.

Registration for kindergarten is conducted entirely online. See below for more information and/or contact the school directly for registration assistance. 

Registration for Current TCAPS Students:

If your student is already enrolled in a TCAPS Preschool or Junior Kindergarten program, simply follow the steps below to register online: 

• Parents of current TCAPS students registering for Kindergarten can log directly into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and use their child's current access ID information to complete the Kindergarten registration forms.

If you have never logged in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal or you do not remember your login information, please contact your building’s administrative assistant for assistance.

Registration for New TCAPS Students:

If you are new to TCAPS and wish to register your student(s) for PreK, Kindergarten, or Junior Kindergarten for 2025-2026, a link to create an online account will be available here mid-February. 

Once the account creation request is submitted, you will receive a second email with instructions about setting up your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

Once you have set up your Parent Portal, you will be able to complete the online registration forms beginning mid-February. Along with your online registration forms, parents will also need to provide the following documents within 10 days of completing the Kindergarten Registration Form: 

• Student birth certificate
• Up-to-date immunization records
• Proof of residency

Montessori Primary Program is an all day / every day kindergarten program for students of kindergarten age. Kindergarten in a TCAPS Montessori program is a primary experience with a child-centered environment endorsing Montessori philosophy and methodology. The classroom director has Montessori and Michigan Elementary Certification. Transportation will be self-provided at TCAPS Montessori at Glenn Loomis. Learn more about the Montessori program.

For more information about the Montessori Primary Program, contact the school directly for registration assistance at sieversli@tcaps.net or 231.933.6420.

The Junior Kindergarten Program* is a district program offered at all elementary schools . 

Junior Kindergarten is designed for students who meet the kindergarten age requirement, but may benefit from a year of additional time prior to entering our traditional kindergarten program. Students may have a later birth date or simply need more time to develop in academic or social areas.  The intended academic track for these students is Junior Kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, and so on. Junior Kindergarten follows the school year calendar and is a five day, full day program provided at no cost to families. Unless living within the host school boundary area, transportation is provided by the parent.

The Junior Kindergarten curriculum materials are different than what will be used in the traditional kindergarten class. English language arts, math, science and social studies are taught using Michigan kindergarten standards. However, teachers spend additional time teaching lessons and focus on supporting the developmental needs of each child to help prepare him or her for success in kindergarten the following school year. Students will receive math, reading and writing instruction daily, and science and social studies regularly. Music, art and physical education are also part of the program. View First Steps Kindergarten Guide.

 

2025-2026 Registration - Opens Mid-February

Interested families are encouraged to enroll early as space is limited. Placement into the program is handled on a first come, first served basis. All registration forms must be completed to be considered for placement. Families will be notified in mid-May of their placement status.

Registration for Current TCAPS Preschool Students

• Current TCAPS preschool families registering for the Junior Kindergarten program can log directly into the PowerSchool Parent Portal and use their child's current access ID information. 

• If you have never logged in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal or you do not remember your login information, please email Kelly Gignilliat for assistance.

Registration for New Students

If you are new to TCAPS and wish to register your student(s) for PreK, Kindergarten, or Junior Kindergarten a link to create an online account will be available here mid-February. All Junior Kindergarten / Kindergarten families must register with their homeschool prior to being considered for school of choice unless enrolling at TCAPS Montessori.

If needed, please reference our district boundary map to determine your home school. Please note that preschool placements do not guarantee Kindergarten placement for the same school in future years.  

• Once the account creation is submitted, you will receive a second email to set up a Parent Portal account.

• Once you have set up your Parent Portal, you will be able to complete the online registration forms beginning mid-February. 

• Along with your online registration forms, parents will also need to provide the following documents within 10 days of completing the Kindergarten Registration Form: 

  • Student birth certificate
  • Up-to-date immunization records
  • Proof of residency

For More Information

• For more information regarding the Junior Kindergarten program and/or registration assistance, please contact Kelly Walter at 231.933.1775 or walterke@tcaps.net.

Traverse City Area Public Schools is pleased to offer families a full-time K-12 online learning program. Open to K-12 students in the five-county region, UpNorth Virtual (UPNV) provides a unique opportunity for students to receive 100% of their courses virtually while still being part of a local school community. Learn more at www.tcaps.net/upnorthvirtual. 

To enroll in kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before September 1 of the enrollment year.  However, according to Michigan law,* if a child residing in a district is not five years of age on or before September 1, but will turn five years of age not later than December 1 of the enrollment year, the parent or legal guardian may choose to enroll their child in kindergarten.

When in receipt of a waiver request, districts can make recommendations to the child’s parent or legal guardian, as to the child’s readiness for school, and whether or not the child should be enrolled early. Regardless of a district’s recommendation, the parent or legal guardian retains the sole discretion to enroll their child. Questions regarding enrollment should be directed to Erika Swartz at swartzer@tcaps.net or 231.933.1722

Enrollment for all day, every day kindergarten and the Montessori primary program is completed online or in paper format. Completed forms may be submitted via the Parent Portal, scanned and emailed to the school office, or dropped off at the school's main office. School contact information can be found in the next section below.

Enrollment for Kindergarten and the Junior Kindergarten program will be conducted online for the 2025-2026 school year. Please see the sections above for registration instructions.

Enrollment Forms

• Birth Certificate or other proof of birth with a birth affidavit
• Proof of Residency
• Completed TCAPS Enrollment Form
• Proof of Immunization or Waiver from GT County Health Department/Physician
• Medication Treatment Form (if needed)
• Transportation Request Form
• Home Language Survey (if home language is other than English)
• Open Enrollment or School of Choice Form (if applicable)
• Copy of current IEP or 504 plans (if appropriate)
• View more enrollment information

View school address and phone numbers here. If you are not sure which school serves your area, type in your address in the interactive boundary map, or call our transportation department at 231.933.1933 for more information.

Extended Day Child Care programs are offered at most TCAPS elementary schools. The programs are licensed through the State of Michigan and offer:

• enrichment activities to build social skills, teamwork, and interpersonal relationships
• homework and academic support
• qualified, caring, trained, and experienced staff
• outstanding facilities
• nutritious snacks
• a safe and nurturing school environment

Before school hours begin at 7:00 AM and continue until the start of the school day. After school hours begin when school ends and continues until 5:30 PM each day. The program starts on the scheduled first day of school and ends on the scheduled last day of school. For more information, visit the Extended Day Child Care webpage or call 231.933.1759. 

Beginning in February, Traverse City Area Public Schools will conduct parent information meetings and begin to register children for kindergarten for the following school year. If you are not able to attend one of the parent meetings, please contact your local school for more information or call TCAPS’ Pupil Accounting at 231.933.1722.