KINDERGARTEN IN KCSD96

Students must be 5 years old by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten.

What is Kindergarten like at Willow Grove? We invite you to take a look...

WILLOW GROVE KINDERGARTEN 101 WELCOME VIDEO

WELCOME WILLOW GROVE KINDERGARTNERS VIDEO

KCSD96 provides full-day kindergarten. The curriculum developed by District faculty reflects the research on kindergarten age-appropriate programs and best practice.

General info Willow Grove Early Learning Center is located at 777 Checker Drive, Buffalo Grove. It serves all KCSD96 kindergartners, regardless of where they live within District boundaries. 
Full-day program hrs: 8:40 AM - 3:05 PM
Phone: 847.541.3660

Fees/Meal Payments
 

2023–24 Full-Day Kindergarten Fee: one-time annual $90 registration fee only

*LINQ Connect Info for Student Meal Payments
KCSD96 will email instructions to parents about creating their family account for managing student meal payments.
Already using the LINQ Connect for older siblings? 
In their "Manage Students" menu, add your kindergartner to your existing account in August, after the upcoming school year student data is in place.
Curriculum
(Full-Day)
8:40 AM - 3:05 PM		 Literacy: 120 minutes each day
Math: 80 minutes each day
Science: embedded in Lit Lab and Exploration Lab
Social Studies: embedded in Literacy and Lit Lab
Physical Education (PE): 20 minutes daily
Playful Learning & Intervention: 60 minutes structured play to reinforce academic and social-emotional learning
Music: 20 minutes, 2 times each week
Recess and Lunch: paired, with 20 minutes allowed for each
The following occur 4 times/week, for 20–30 minutes.
Lit Lab: Informational text lessons, including science/social studies concepts
Exploration Lab: Hands-on use of science materials and technology
Book Checkout: Students select books from the Learning Center collection
Workshop: Handwriting and foundational literacy skills practice
TRANSPORTATION Bus service will be provided at no additional cost to all full-day kindergartners
Before
and/or
After Care

The Buffalo Grove Park District Clubhouse program offers on-site care before and after school for full-day students. Parents arrange for before-/after-care service and make payment through the Buffalo Grove Park District: 847.850.2134, [email protected]
Food Service Kindergartners will eat lunch in the Willow Grove cafeteria. They may purchase a hot lunch or bring their lunch from home. The KCSD96 food service vendor Organic Life posts menus online. Parents may create and pay into an online lunch account for each of their KCSD96 students. (See LINQ Connect above)
   

Tell me about the DUAL LANGUAGE program.