BVSD Kindergarten Program

Students are eligible to attend Kindergarten if they turn 5 years of age on or before October 1st of the year of enrollment.

Decide which kindergarten you are going to attend. Will you be attending your school of residency? 

Every address in the Boulder Valley School District has an assigned neighborhood school for grades kindergarten through 12. To attend a school other than your neighborhood school, you must apply and be approved through the Open Enrollment lottery (see Open Enrollment information

Families choosing to apply via Open Enrollment follow the same process to apply for applicants entering grades KG-12th grades the following school year.  There is not a separate process for applicants entering into Kindergarten. 

To meet the needs of highly advanced children who have not yet entered kindergarten or first grade, Boulder Valley School District may grant early entrance to school, for highly advanced gifted children, with a body of evidence at or above the 97th percentile.

BVSD celebrates bilingualism and offers support to our students and families who speak a language other than English. This support begins with an identification process using the Home Language Survey (HLS) that all families complete during the online registration process.

In Boulder Valley School District, we welcome every child into kindergarten and believe every child deserves to have access to an inspired education that provides an excellent foundation for continued learning and growth. Boulder Valley School District leaders, teachers, and staff work together to create an inspiring learning culture where students know they’re valued, they belong, and they can make their own mark, so there are equitable outcomes for all. 

Boulder Valley School District believes the foundation of early learning is the integration of hands-on, complex,  long-lasting play, which focuses on supporting and building all areas of child development throughout the curriculum and instructional day.

Boulder Valley School District has developed a school readiness calendar with transition to kindergarten activities each month that can fit into your everyday life.

What is Social & Emotional Development?

Social and Emotional Development is a child’s ability to understand his/her own, peer and adult feelings, regulate one’s own feelings, and build relationships with others. 

What is Physical Development?

Physical Development is a child’s ability to use gross motor (large muscle) and fine motor (small muscle) skills at school and home.

What is Cognitive Development?

Cognitive Development is a child’s ability to analyze, solve problems, and reason within the classroom. 

What is Literacy and Language Development? 

Language and Literacy Development refers to a child’s ability to communicate thoughts and ideas verbally and in writing. 

What is Mathematics Development?

Mathematics Development is a child’s ability to manipulate numbers, shapes, and patterns

See a sample Kindergarten Schedule

In Education, scope and sequence is a term that describes the ideas and concepts that will be covered within a curriculum.

BVSD uses an observation-based assessment called “My Teaching Strategies” (GOLD).

The Colorado READ Act works to ensure the mastery of reading by third-grade before students advance to fourth grade.  The initiative focuses on early literacy programs, resources for both teachers and students, early screening, and individualized reading plans for at school and at home. 

Boulder Valley School District uses the Teaching Strategies GOLD (TS GOLD) Development and Learning report card for kindergarten students.

MTSS stands for Multi-tiered System of Supports and it’s a framework used in schools to support children in reaching their full academic and social-emotional potential. It can be described as the way schools do business. At its heart, it is a way for educators to customize learning to be responsive to each child’s unique strengths and needs.

Retention is defined as having a student repeat the same grade for a second year. Retention is only appropriate when there is reasonable assurance that the student will benefit from the decision.

We have an award winning School breakfast and Lunch program that includes minimally processed, whole food ingredients, with clean labels.

Boulder Valley School District encourages its students, families, and staff to consider alternative transportation options. It is good for our physical and environmental health.

It is important to know that Boulder Valley School District has a layered system of security in place. While Boulder Valley School District cannot discuss specific security measures, actions or tactics, the district has worked closely with our partners in law enforcement to implement best practices, detect potential threats, and then to prepare our buildings and staff to react when a threat is realized

In the Boulder Valley School District, we believe in caring for the whole child. We know that before students can focus and succeed in the classroom, they must be supported physically, mentally and through a healthy environment.  We look forward to providing a safe and healthy kindergarten opportunity for your student.

The science of child development shows that the foundation for sound mental health is built early in life.  Boulder Valley School District understands this and pays special attention to improving children’s environments, relationships and experiences early in life.

Boulder Valley School District has guidelines and procedures for different weather and climate conditions

Volunteers help us provide better service to our students and are a very important part of the Boulder Valley School District community.

BVSD is comprised of 56 schools across 500 square miles. See this page for all the schools' contact information, filterable by school level and geographic location.