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- Kindergarten and Early Childhood Programs (3K-5K)
Early Childhood Program Sites and Enrollment
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District 7's enrollment process will open on Wednesday, March 20 for NEW 3K-5K students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Data shows that kindergarten readiness impacts student success all the way through elementary school. The best way for parents to ensure their child's readiness is to enroll them in a quality preK program, either in District 7 or the community. District 7 has worked to support kindergarten readiness by incorporating 4K classrooms in every District 7 elementary school and by educating our community about the importance of early childhood education.
District 7's enrollment process will open Wednesday, March 20 for NEW 3K-5K students for the 2024-2025 school year.
If your child is already enrolled in District 7, you DO NOT need to complete this new student enrollment process. You will not need to take any action until you receive instructions for registering your returning student in April. As a reminder, 4K students enroll in their zoned elementary school for 5K, even if they are attending a non-zoned school for their 4K year.
For information on what parents must present at schools to apply/enroll, review the details below or visit your neighborhood elementary school between the hours of 8:30am – 2:30pm Monday through Friday.
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5-Year-Old Kindergarten Program (5K)
Children who will be five years old on or before September 1 of this year must enroll in a public or private 5K program, unless the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver. If a 5K waiver is signed, state law requires the child to enroll in first grade the following year at age 6. Free 5K programs are available at all District 7 schools - Jesse Boyd Elementary, Cleveland Academy of Leadership, Drayton Mills Elementary School, E.P. Todd School, Mary H. Wright Elementary and Pine Street Elementary.
5K Registration for Currently Enrolled District 7 Students
If your student is currently enrolled in District 7, click here for information on returning student registration.
5K Enrollment for NEW District 7 Students
To enroll a NEW student in District 7 for 5K, a parent/guardian must complete the New Student Enrollment Form for 5K - English (PDF) or New Student Enrollment Form for 5K - Spanish (PDF) and present it along with the following to your zoned school:
1. Student's State Birth Certificate
Need a copy of a birth certificate?
- In S.C., see DHEC's "How to Obtain a Copy of your Birth Certificate"
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Where to Write for Vital Records"
- South Carolina Vaccine Requirement Information for Parents
2. Student's South Carolina Certificate of Immunization or South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption obtained from the Spartanburg County Health Department
Need a copy of your immunization certificate?
- In SC, see DHEC's "How can I get a copy of my immunization records?" You can review the South Carolina Immunization Requirements for Childcare and School for the school year here.
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Contacts for ISS Records".
3. Two current proof of residency documents (all must contain property address) in the name and property address of the parent or legal guardian. This must include ONE of the following: A recent tax document for primary residence, current signed rental/lease agreement with legally notarized documentation from a landlord verifying current address, AND ONE current utility bill (i.e. electric, gas, water, cable).
4. Valid parent/guardian photo I.D. (i.e. a South Carolina DMV issued I.D. or driver's license)
Additional documents required for transfer students (may be submitted later)
- Withdrawal from previous school - Paperwork filed with your child's previous school to transfer the child's school records to the new school
- Academic documents & records - Any academic documents and records, including the child's latest transcript, report cards, and IEP (if applicable)
Once you have submitted your new student enrollment forms, the school will provide you with an email to complete the enrollment process online.
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4-Year-Old Kindergarten Program (4K)
District 7's free 4K program is available for eligible children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1st. Priority admission is given to students who meet criteria of developmental or financial need, as required by the Child Early Reading and Development Education Program. 4K programs are available at all District 7 schools: Jesse Boyd Elementary, Cleveland Academy of Leadership, Drayton Mills Elementary School, E.P. Todd School, Mary H. Wright Elementary and Pine Street Elementary.
The 4K program provides a full-day, comprehensive approach to learning and follows the regular arrival and dismissal times of our elementary schools. Bus transportation is available, and breakfast, snacks and lunch are served daily. The program incorporates evidence-based practices with ongoing assessment, and focuses on the developmental support children must have in order to be ready for kindergarten. Students with the greatest academic and financial need are prioritized for enrollment. Therefore, every effort will be made to place each student within their home school, but some students may be placed in another District 7 school only for their 4K year.
4K Enrollment Process & Criteria
Enrollment for the 4K Program is open and non-discriminatory. Prior to acceptance, all preschool students must be baseline-tested for school readiness using the DIAL-4 screening tool. Your student will be scheduled for testing once the school has received all the application materials. Families who apply by May 24th will be notified of acceptance by July 1. Applications received after May 24 will be processed if space is available. Once 4K enrollment is full, students will be placed on the waiting list and will be prioritized for enrollment based on need (as determined by DIAL-4 screening and financial documentation). Applications may continue to be submitted at elementary schools through June 13; thereafter, they may be submitted again starting July 29 when staff return for the 2024-2025 school year.
Required 4K Application Enrollment Documents
To apply for enrollment in the 4K program, a parent/guardian must complete the 4K Enrollment Application - English (PDF) or 4K Enrollment Application - Spanish (PDF) and present it along with the following to their elementary school:
1. Student's State Birth Certificate
Need a copy of a birth certificate?
- In S.C., see DHEC's "How to Obtain a Copy of your Birth Certificate"
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Where to Write for Vital Records"
2. Student's South Carolina Certificate of Immunization or South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption obtained from the Spartanburg County Health Department
Need a copy of your immunization certificate?
- In SC, see DHEC's "How can I get a copy of my immunization records?" You can review the South Carolina Immunization Requirements for Childcare and School for the school year here.
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Contacts for ISS Records".
- South Carolina Vaccine Requirement Information for Parents
3. Two current proof of residency documents (all must contain property address) in the name and property address of the parent or legal guardian. This must include ONE of the following: A recent tax document for primary residence, current signed rental/lease agreement with legally notarized documentation from landlord verifying current address, AND ONE current utility bill (i.e. electric, gas, water, cable).
4. Valid parent/guardian photo I.D. (i.e. - S.C. DMV issued I.D. or driver's license)
5. Proof of household income - EITHER one item from the following list: current pay stub, W-2 or Tax Forms (If married, proof for both parents is required) OR child's Medicaid card
Next Steps Guide to 4K Enrollment
Next Steps Guide to 4K Enrollment (pdf download)Now that you have submitted your completed 4K application, here is what to do and expect next:
DIAL-4 Screening (required prior to acceptance)
Prior to acceptance, students must be baseline-tested for school readiness using the DIAL-4 screening tool. Parents will be notified of testing dates/times via the email address you provided on the application. During your child’s DIAL-4 testing appointment, a parent/guardian will complete additional required forms.Acceptance/Waiting List Notification
After your child completes DIAL-4, you will receive an email confirming your child’s status (they will either be accepted immediately or placed on a waiting list). Those who apply by May 24 will be notified by July 1. The email will be sent to the address provided on your child’s application. If your application was submitted after May 24, it will be processed if space remains available. Notification for these applicants will be given by early August.Completing the Online Registration Process
If your student is accepted, your notification letter will include instructions for completing the online registration process, which is required for your student to be assigned to a 4K class. It is important to complete this immediately upon acceptance.For Accepted Students: Register NOW for Countdown to 4K This Summer – Meet Your 4K Teacher!
In partnership with Spartanburg County First Steps, District 7 provides accepted 4K students the opportunity to participate in Countdown to 4K during the summer. Participation helps your family successfully transition into 4K by connecting the student, family, and their new 4K teacher in a series of one-to-one visits. Space is limited. The registration form is included in the packet provided during your DIAL-4 screening.For ALL Families: Assess Your Child’s Development and Milestones
District 7 and Hello Family Spartanburg (www.hellofamilyspartanburg.org) encourage parents/guardians of pre-school age children to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). This online survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and helps you understand your child’s current strengths and skills, follow their developmental milestones, and can help identify any potential concerns. It also helps you connect with additional family resources in our community. Learn more and complete the screening at https://helpmegrowsc.org/.
REMINDER: District 7’s 4K Acceptance Criteria
District 7’s 4K programs are open to all District 7 students, but space is limited. Students with the greatest academic and financial need are prioritized for enrollment; therefore, every effort will be made to place each student within their home school, but some students may be placed in another District 7 school only for their 4K year.
If your child does not qualify based on academic and financial need, they will be placed on a waiting list and admitted on a first-come, first-served basis for any spaces that remain open at the beginning of August.
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3-Year-Old Kindergarten Programs (3K)
Families residing in District 7 with children who will turn 3 on or before September 1 of the upcoming school year have the following opportunities for 3K programs:
D7 has a full-day 3K program for families zoned for Mary H. Wright Elementary (at the school) and Cleveland Academy of Leadership (at the Franklin School near Cleveland). *The Franklin School also offers some federally funded 3K programs and some private pay programs (See below for details). Enrollment in District 7's 3K program is based on a screening instrument used to identify 3K children who may be at-risk academically and/or have a financial need, and class sizes are limited.
Three-year-olds are also eligible to apply for the Montessori Program at E.P. Todd School - and a tuition fee is charged much like programs not in public schools. The Montessori Program at E.P. Todd is a half-day program. To learn more, visit E.P Todd School or call (864) 594-4475.
3K Enrollment Process & Criteria
Enrollment for the 3K Program is open and non-discriminatory. Prior to acceptance, all preschool students must be baseline-tested for school readiness using the DIAL-4 screening tool. Your student will be scheduled for testing once the school has received all the application materials. Families who apply by May 24th will be notified of acceptance by July 1. Applications received after May 24 will be processed if space is available. Once 3K enrollment is full, students will be placed on the waiting list and will be prioritized for enrollment based on need (as determined by DIAL-4 screening and financial documentation). Applications may continue to be submitted at elementary schools through June 13; thereafter, they may be submitted again starting July 29 when staff return for the 2024-2025 school year.
Required 3K Application Enrollment Documents
To apply for enrollment in the 3K program, a parent/guardian must complete the 3K Enrollment Application - English (PDF) or 3K Enrollment Application - Spanish (PDF) and present it along with the following to their elementary school:
1. Student's State Birth Certificate
Need a copy of a birth certificate?
- In S.C., see DHEC's "How to Obtain a Copy of your Birth Certificate"
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Where to Write for Vital Records"
2. Student's South Carolina Certificate of Immunization or South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption obtained from the Spartanburg County Health Department
Need a copy of your immunization certificate?
- In SC, see DHEC's "How can I get a copy of my immunization records?" You can review the South Carolina Immunization Requirements for Childcare and School for the school year here.
- Nationally, see the CDC's "Contacts for ISS Records".
- South Carolina Vaccine Requirement Information for Parents
3. Two current proof of residency documents (all must contain property address) in the name and property address of the parent or legal guardian. This must include ONE of the following: A recent tax document for primary residence, current signed rental/lease agreement with legally notarized documentation from a landlord verifying current address, AND ONE current utility bill (i.e. electric, gas, water, cable).
4. Valid parent/guardian photo I.D. (i.e. - S.C. DMV issued I.D. or driver's license)
5. Proof of household income - EITHER one item from the following list: current pay stub, W-2 or Tax Forms (If married, proof for both parents is required) OR child's Medicaid card
*The Franklin School also offers some federally funded 3K programs and some private pay programs. If you are interested in enrolling your child in The Franklin School, their program accommodates two and three-year-olds. Please call or visit The Franklin School at (864) 586-7130 and/or contact Tina Evans at vevans@1steps.org.
Next Steps Guide to 3K Enrollment
Next Steps Guide to 3K Enrollment (pdf download)Now that you have submitted your completed 3K application for Mary H. Wright or Cleveland Academy of Leadership, here is what to do and expect next:
DIAL-4 Screening (required prior to acceptance)
Prior to acceptance, students must be baseline-tested for school readiness using the DIAL-4 screening tool. Parents will be notified of testing dates/times via the email address you provided on the application. During your child’s DIAL-4 testing appointment, a parent/guardian will complete additional required forms.
Acceptance/Waiting List Notification
For students zoned to attend Mary H. Wright and Cleveland Academy: After your child completes DIAL-4, you will receive an email confirming your child’s status (they will either be accepted immediately or placed on a waiting list). Those who apply by May 24 will be notified by July 1. The email will be sent to the address provided on your child’s application. If your application was submitted after May 24, it will be processed if space remains available. Notification for these applicants will be given by early August.
For students who live outside of Mary H. Wright and Cleveland attendance zones: After your child completes DIAL-4, you will receive an email confirming your child’s status (including whether your child meets financial and/or academic need criteria). All students living outside the Mary H. Wright or Cleveland attendance zones will be placed on a waiting list. After September 30, any available spaces will be filled from the waiting list with priority given to students who meet the financial and/or academic need criteria.Completing the Online Registration Process
If your student is accepted, your notification letter will include instructions for completing the online registration process, which is required for your student to be assigned to a 3K class. It is important to complete this immediately upon acceptance.Assess Your Child’s Development and Milestones
District 7 and Hello Family Spartanburg (www.hellofamilyspartanburg.org) encourage parents/guardians of pre-school age children to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). This online survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete and helps you understand your child’s current concerns. It also helps you connect with additional family resources in our community. Learn more and complete the screening at https://helpmegrowsc.org/.
REMINDER: District 7’s 3K Acceptance Criteria for Mary H. Wright and Cleveland Academy of Leadership
Priority for District 7’s 3K program is given to students who live within the attendance zones for Mary H. Wright and Cleveland Academy of Leadership. Students with the greatest academic and financial need receive the highest priority for enrollment. After September 30, consideration will be given to students who live outside the schools’ attendance zones for filling any available spaces, with priority given to students meeting financial and/or academic need criteria.
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How to Submit Kindergarten Enrollment Documents
Please bring your enrollment documents to your neighborhood school's front office during school hours.
Jesse Boyd Elementary School
1505 Fernwood-Glendale Road (29307)
594-4430, Fax 594-6143Cleveland Academy of Leadership
151 Franklin Street (29303)
594-4444, Fax 594-6146Drayton Mills Elementary School
1500 Skylyn Drive (29307)
586-7979, Fax 586-7989E.P. Todd School (In addition to traditional programs, E.P. Todd offers a Montessori program for 3K–5th grade students that is open to District 7 families - the 3K and 4K Montessori programs require a monthly tuition.)
150 Old Canaan Road (29306)
594-4475, Fax 594-6152Mary H. Wright Elementary School
457 S. Church Street (29306)
594-4477, Fax 594-6153Pine Street Elementary School
500 S. Pine Street (29302)
594-4470, Fax 594-6150
If you have questions in regard to student enrollment, please call your school directly or contact the District Office at 864.594.4400.
Enrollment Next Steps
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Once you have submitted your new student enrollment forms (see enrollment instructions above), your child's school will provide an email to complete the enrollment process online.
Need to register your student to ride a bus, set up online payment for school lunches, or set up your Powerschool Parent Portal account to follow along with your child's progress in school? All of that and more can be found on our Additional Links for Registered Students page.
More Info About District 7's Early Childhood Programs (3K-5K)
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Kindergarten Readiness is critical.
Data shows that 5K readiness impacts student success all the way through elementary school. The best way for parents to ensure their child's readiness is to enroll them in a quality 4K program, either in District 7 or the community. We are working to support kindergarten readiness by incorporating 4K classrooms in every District 7 elementary school and by educating our community about the importance of early childhood education.
As cited by Nobel Laureate and human development expert, James J. Heckman, “Early childhood education fosters cognitive skills along with attentiveness, motivation, self-control and sociability- the charter skills that turn knowledge into know-how and people into productive citizens.” Students begin their schooling as three- and four-year-olds in a program that gives them a strong foundation in:
- Early literacy and numeracy skills
- Social and emotional development
- Early childhood physical skills such as gross and fine motor development
Early Literacy and Numeracy Skills
In District 7, we strive to help develop young minds by inspiring curiosity and creativity through purposeful play and nurturing guidance. Through our interactive and discovery-based learning model, children gain a strong foundation of early literacy and numeracy skills that sets the stage for future academic success and that instills a love of learning and continual discovery.
Social and Emotional Development
Research shows that social-emotional intelligence is one of the best indicators of future success. D7 weaves character development and life skills into daily experiences so that each child learns how to handle their emotions and how to work and interact with other individuals in a positive manner.
Gross and Fine Motor Development
District 7 schools teach healthy living and encourage each child to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Students master gross motor skills through regular PE classes and daily outdoor play. As students slide, climb, and run in the playground, teachers encourage and challenge students to learn proper techniques for movement and balance. Inside the classroom, teachers frequently work with students to build their fine motor skills through a variety of activities such as weaving, lacing, cutting and tearing paper, and stringing beads.
Click to expand the following sections to learn more about D7's Early Childhood curriculum.
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Early Childhood Curriculum
Curriculum- Creative Curriculum is a practical approach on how to organize the environment to support children's social development and active learning. It is based on child development theory. By continually changing and enriching the environment, teacher can support learning and creativity in children. It emphasizes establishing a partnership with parents and offers practical ideas for explaining the curriculum to parents. For more information, visit www.teachingstrategies.com
- The Fountas and Pinnell Literacy Classroom is an approach to teaching literacy that is designed to turn struggling readers into successful readers. Strategies include leveled literacy intervention and daily, intensive, small group instruction to supplement classroom teaching. Fountas and Pinnell strategies are blended with our Creative Curriculum.
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Student Assessment Methods
DIAL 4 (Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning)
- A screening instrument used to identify 4K children who may be at-risk academically
PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening)
- A research-based reading assessment for 4K students that measures a young child’s understanding of essential components of literacy
- Addresses name writing, beginning sound awareness, alphabet knowledge, print and word awareness, and rhyme awareness
KRA (Kindergarten Readiness Assessment)
- Measures a child's school readiness across multiple domains as they begin 5K
- Administered within the first 45 days of school
Ongoing informal assessments of all students are completed by teachers for progress monitoring throughout the school year.
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Helpful Family Resources
- Activities for Home - https://www.daybydaysc.org/about/about-sc-day-day-project
- Profile of the Ready Kindergartener - https://www.scfirststeps.org/news-resources/sc-profile-of-the-ready-kindergartner/
- District 7's learning engagement coach for families - https://sites.google.com/view/scr2lfamilyengagement/home?authuser=0