Kamehameha Schools accepting preschool applications

Kamehameha Schools preschools are accepting applications for the 2014-15 school year. Families applying must be current Hawaii residents and all applications must be received by Kamehameha Schools’ Admissions Department no later than Jan. 31.

This year, Kamehameha Schools will apply a new preschool entry age requirement in alignment with the Department of Education’s kindergarten age requirement and the elimination of the junior kindergarten program that will take effect during the 2014-15 school year. New students applying for preschool for the upcoming school year must be 3 years old by July 31 to be eligible for the 3-year-old program and 4 years old by July 31 to be eligible for the 4-year-old program.

“Since approximately 80 percent of our preschoolers matriculate into public schools and the minimum entrance age for public kindergarten is 5, roughly 40 percent of our preschool keiki will not have met the minimum age requirement to enter the public kindergarten program,” Community Based Early Childhood Education Department Director Terry Kelly said. “The 40 percent would be left without structured educational programming with the elimination of the junior kindergarten program. In light of this change, we will apply a new preschool entry age requirement this coming school year which will ensure our present and future preschool families aren’t left in a bind after aging out of the 4-year-old program.”

In the next two years, Kamehameha Schools will create a 5-year-old program to accommodate the needs of keiki who will complete the 4-year-old program in 2015. Those families will have an option to enroll in the 5-year-old program before they are eligible for public kindergarten in 2016.

For more information about applying to Kamehameha preschools and information about the preschool program, visit ksbe.edu/admissions or call 842-8800. Neighbor island applicants may call toll-free (800) 842-4682, ext. 28800. Information and help with the application process is also available at the KS Resource Center-West Hawaii, 322-5400, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.