Jr. Kindergarten (Alternative Kindergarten)

Jr. Kindergarten Registration Process for the 2025-26 School Year in NOW OPEN!

Linn-Mar Community School District offers an all-day alternative kindergarten program called Junior Kindergarten (JK). Our JK program offers a blended approach to learning that includes a mix of early childhood education and elementary education. This is a full-day program that runs on the same calendar as the school district’s kindergarten program. Children attending a JK school day will learn social, emotional, and behavioral skills and focus on literacy and math growth as they prepare for kindergarten.

Step 1: Review the JK Qualification Process

If you are interested in the Junior Kindergarten program please review the following qualifications:

Children must turn 5 years of age between March 15, 2025, and September 15, 2025 to qualify to be screened for the JK program.
Enrollment in this program will be determined at the screening appointment by data collected from parents and students to help identify how we can best meet your child’s needs. Parents will be notified within a week of the screening whether or not their child qualifies for JK.
A student must qualify for the JK program based on their score from Linn-Mar’s screening process to participate in the program.

Step 2: Sign Up for a Screening

A student must qualify for the JK program based on their score from Linn-Mar’s screening process to participate in the program. Screenings last approximately 30 minutes with the student and include a review of literacy, mathematics, and social-emotional development. Guardians will need to bring proof of residency and birth verification to their child’s screening appointment.

Please contact Jill at 319-447-3303 to schedule a screening for your child.

Step 3: Ensure JK Enrollment is the Right Choice for Your Child

Enrollment in the JK program will be determined at the screening appointment by data collected from parents and students to help identify how we can best meet your child’s needs. Linn-Mar staff will email families within a week of the screening to confirm your child’s enrollment in JK or Kindergarten. As you consider JK enrollment for your child, please note:

Any child in the state of Iowa who attends a JK program is technically considered as being retained.
All Linn-Mar JK classrooms are located at Novak Elementary for the 2025-26 school year and are full-day programs (8:30 am -3:15 pm). The location of the JK program is evaluated annually placement may change based on district-wide enrollment numbers.
Before and after-school care is provided by an external provider at a cost to the family. Families interested in this support can contact Novak Elementary or Hand in Hand daycare for more details.
Program outcomes are based on Iowa CORE kindergarten standards.

Step 4: Complete the Enrollment Process

Once you have received the email from Linn-Mar staff confirming the results of the screening, the final step in welcoming your child is to pre-register them for the upcoming academic year to ensure we have some essential information about your child and family.

Please complete the registration steps on this page.
If you haven’t already provided them, you will be asked to provide new student documentation including proof of residency, proof of birth date, and a current immunization record.

Within all programming options, the developmental needs of the child will be monitored regularly to ensure the current placement is appropriate for the child. Teacher and parent communication is important during the first several months of school so that the educational experience of the child is successful.

Questions?

We’re excited to welcome you and your child to Linn-Mar’s Junior Kindergarten program. If you have questions about this process please contact Elementary Director of Teaching and Learning: Karla Ries 319-447-3013.