TRANSITION
TO KINDERGARTEN
Will your child be 5 on or before August 31 of the current school year?
If so, it’s time to start thinking about Kindergarten!
Click a topic below to find out more!
Families and caregivers often have questions about how to prepare their children for kindergarten. While there are many different opinions and perspectives about what makes a child “kindergarten ready,” remember that every child is unique. At Buncombe Partnership for Children, we strive to be a supportive partner with families and caregivers by:
- Providing webinars, trainings, and resources for families on child development, the school registration processes, and other information related to transition to kindergarten
- Partnering with local organizations and schools to ensure educators and other stakeholders are in communication about how to best support children and families in our area
- Working with Pre-K teachers in programs across the county to support their use of developmentally appropriate practices in preparing rising kindergarteners
Ready for K Video
Important Dates and School Information
If your child will be 5 by August 31, 2024, you may enroll them in kindergarten! Here are some important dates and information for you to consider:
Public – Families may apply to a variety of free public schools depending on where they live. You can find out which school you are zoned for here (Link to district map) Though you are zoned for Asheville City Schools or Buncombe County Schools, families do have a degree of choice in terms of where their child attends school. Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools allow for applications for out of county/district school assignments, though placement is not guaranteed. If you wish to apply for out of district or county, you should contact the school system as soon as possible to determine your options.
Asheville City Schools – Magnet schools that offer a special area of focus along with the standard curriculum (like art or ecology). First choice is given to families living in the Asheville City School district. January 23rd, 2024: Asheville City Schools Elementary Magnet School Night. Open enrollment for ACS 2024/2025 school year begins February 5th and ends March 11th, 2024.
Buncombe County Schools – Children living in Buncombe County may attend their neighborhood school. Please visit enroll.buncombeschools.org to find your school, learn more about the enrollment process, and sign-up for a school tour.
Charter– Free public schools with an independent curriculum. Available to children living in the state of North Carolina. Enrollment is usually based on a lottery of all applicants.
Artspace Charter School: Application deadline March 31
Asheville Peak Academy : Ongoing open enrollment
Evergreen Community School: Application deadline March 31
Francine Delany New School for Children: Application deadline March 31
Invest Collegiate Imagine Public Charter School: Application deadline March 31
Mountain City Public Montessori: Application deadline March 31
Ready for K! Info Sessions
2024 Ready for Kindergarten! Informational Events
Each of these drop-in events are intended to provide families with an opportunity to meet representatives from local schools and ask any questions pertaining to the registration process as well as specifics about each school. We encourage anyone with a rising kindergartener for the current academic year to attend and chat with friendly staff about your school options. Participants will have an opportunity to receive free resources and materials to support their children’s transition to kindergarten. The same event will be repeated in various locations to meet the geographic needs of families–no need to attend more than one event!
Saturday, January 20th, 10:30am-12:30pm at the East Asheville Public Library (3 Avon Rd. Asheville 28805)
Tuesday, January 23rd, 4:30pm-6:30pm at the West Asheville Public Library (942 Haywood Rd. Asheville 28806)
Saturday, January 27th, 10:30am-12:30pm at the South Asheville Public Library (749 Fairview Rd. Asheville 28803)
Thursday, February 1st, 4:30-6:30pm at the North Asheville Public Library (1030 Merrimon Ave. Asheville 28804)
Do you have questions about transitioning your child to kindergarten? Contact Stevie Alverson at 828-407-2059
Resources
Get In Touch
53 Asheland Avenue Suite 102A
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828-285-9333
Fax: 828-285-9933
