4-year-old Kindergarten
There is no more important work than preparing our youngest learners to take on the world. The 4-year-old kindergarten program offered by the Mequon-Thiensville School District offers all young children in Mequon and Thiensville with the opportunity to participate in a quality early learning program designed to launch them to a promising future.
Our 4K is an activity-based, developmentally appropriate program taught by highly-qualified Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction licensed early childhood or pre-kindergarten teachers. Our passionate educators nurture students’ innate curiosity while preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.
The 4K curriculum is aligned to the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. A focus on learning through play and active exploration of the environment nurtures skills in literacy, numeracy and social-emotional development.
Students also gain regular exposure to visual art, music, and physical education through classes taught by specialized, licensed educators.
4K Program Guide
(downloadable PDF)
4K Program Options
We offer a tuition-free, half-day kindergarten for four-year-olds, five days per week at our three elementary schools—Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, and Wilson—as well as one morning section with community partner Range Line Preschool and Childcare. Classes run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. (morning session) or 1:15-4 p.m. (afternoon session).
Morning and Afternoon Placements & Lottery
Families indicate their morning or afternoon program preference during pre-registration. Student placements in morning or afternoon sections will be made according to family preference whenever possible. We retain the right to make final decisions on placements.
If more families indicate a preference for a morning or afternoon section than we have available seats, we will enact a formal lottery system, which is the most equitable approach to situations in which capacity is limited. Registrations received after May 1, 2024 will not be included in the lottery.
Families may still enroll at any time after the May 1 pre-registration deadline, however, those families will not participate in the class preference lottery.
4K Program Information
Pre-Registration and Enrollment
Families are asked to pre-register their child for 4K (or 5K if the child will be new to MTSD)
Pre-registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open! Please click here to pre-register your 4K or new-to-MTSD 5K student.
Please refer to the steps below before May 1 to ensure that you are able to properly complete 4K pre-registration for the 2024-2025 school year.
What Happens After Pre-Registration?
After you complete online pre-registration, please submit the following documentation to Michelle Halloran at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us. Pre-registration is not complete until this documentation is received. Please provide during the pre-registration window (Feb. 14th - May 1st). This can be done at any time school offices are open.
- Your child’s official birth certificate (copies not accepted) or passport.
- Immunization record. Wisconsin Immunization Record form is enclosed.
- Proof of residency. If you are a resident of Mequon or Thiensville and your child lives with you, the following documents can be used to establish your child’s residency.
- If you rent, a copy of your signed rental agreement.
- If you own a home, a copy of your real estate tax bill; if you recently purchased a home in Mequon or Thiensville, a copy of the closing statement.
Families will also be asked to complete online enrollment in August (which is required of all students and is different than pre-registration).
Community Partner
Range Line Preschool & Childcare is a community partner site for families who prefer that their child receive instruction at the same facility as their full-day childcare. Range Line Preschool offers the same curriculum as is taught at our three school sites, taught by a DPI-certified teacher and under the supervision of administrative staff from the school district.
Please note: Families must enroll with MTSD for this 4K option, and must also enroll separately with Range Line Preschool for before- or after-school childcare needs. Please plan to submit documentation and proof of residency to the school district office.