Addthis

Kindergarten — The First Step into a New World of Learning

According to Virginia law, your child must be five years old on or before September 30 to register for kindergarten. There is no deadline for registration. However, parents are encouraged to register early. All registration and health requirements must be met for a child to be admitted.

It's a big step for your kindergartner on the first day of school when he or she waves goodbye and walks into the classroom where a new world of learning awaits. Our teachers and principals understand it's a big step for you, too. Your child will develop new friendships, take delight in exciting activities, and become more independent every day.

In a cheerful, inviting classroom, your kindergartner will be warmly greeted by an exceptional teacher who recognizes that your child is an individual with special interests, strengths, and needs. Throughout that first day and first year, your child will begin to blossom as he or she is exposed to an array of learning experiences to promote early literacy and numeracy as well as ensure his or her development as a whole child.

With a full-day kindergarten program, all Alexandria schools provide a stimulating curriculum that focuses on:

  • social and emotional development
  • work habits
  • reading and writing
  • oral communication
  • mathematics
  • technology
  • science
  • social studies

Lessons are individually planned to address a wide range of children's developmental levels and needs. Kindergartners also enjoy weekly art, music, and physical education classes as well as the library/media center, the computer lab, and of course, a well-equipped outdoor playground area. Class sizes are kept especially small in the primary grades of K, 1, and 2 with an average of 20 children. In addition to the teacher, there is a full-time paraprofessional who assists with the class, bringing the ratio of adults to students to an average of 1:10.

Children with identified special needs, such as developmental delays and/or disabilities, can receive services through the Alexandria City Public Schools Student Services Department. If your child is 2, 3, or 4 years old, and you are concerned that he or she might need special services, please contact Cecilia Rieman at 703-824-6708. If your child is 5 years or older and needs special services, please call the principal at your assigned school to schedule a child study meeting. If you need ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Student Services at 703-824-6650.

In Alexandria, there are three schools that offer special areas of learning:

Each of these schools enrolls children from its neighborhood as well as accepts a number of applicants from throughout the city. If you wish to find out more information about any of these programs, please contact the school directly.

In addition, Mount Vernon Community School offers an English-Spanish dual language program for students living within its attendance zone, and Mount Vernon Community School and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School both offer a modified school calendar for students living within their attendance zone.

We invite you to step inside this wonderful new world of learning by visiting during an open house or by contacting the principal to arrange a tour. If you're not sure which school your child will attend, use our online attendance zone locator to determine your neighborhood school based on your home address.