Young 5's Program

Ludington Area School's Young 5's Program is a transitional program that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.  This program will provide high-quality instruction using evidence-based instructional strategies that promote a strong foundation for academics, social, and emotional learning while still using the kindergarten academic standards. 

Students that voluntarily enroll in this program will be a “two year” kindergarten student, meaning they will be in the Young 5's Program the first year and a traditional kindergarten room the second year.

According to Michigan law, a child must be five (5) years prior to December 1st to enroll in any kindergarten program; although, it is recommended that the child should be five (5) prior to September 1st of the enrollment year.  Chronological age is not the determining factor.

Ideal candidates for the program have had preschool experience, but are no longer eligible to be enrolled in preschool. Please visit https://www.lasd.net/schools/pere-marquette-early-education-center/ to learn more about eligibility for preschool programs.

Academic screening opportunities are available to provide additional information to support the decision by following the fourth step in the registration process. 

If you have any questions or would like to further discuss if this might be a good fit for the Young 5's program, please email Mrs. Katie Eisinger at keisinger@lasd.net.

Young 5’s is a transitional program that serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. The goal is that when your child exits the Young 5's Program, they are set up for success in the kindergarten classroom. 

The Young 5's Program will be housed at Ludington Elementary School and will follow the LASD calendar similar to kindergarten students.  Students will attend Monday-Friday from 8:00-3:11. During the school day, students in the Young 5's program will also have physical education, music, art, and literacy/library.

This program is taught by an elementary certified teacher and will follow the same academic standards taught in the traditional kindergarten classroom.  Students in the Young 5's Program will have increased opportunities to explore foundational skills in both literacy and math at a slower pace with more play-based, hands-on learning. The program will also support a child's social and emotional growth with skills such as self-regulation, coping skills, problem solving skills, etc. 

First, be sure to follow the enrollment process to register your child for kindergarten. During the online registration, once you select kindergarten, you will be able to select Young 5's as an option. You may also feel free to email Mrs. Katie Eisinger, K-2 Principal, at keisinger@lasd.net expressing interest in the program.

Due to the limited enrollment, please note the following:

• Expressing interest in the Young 5's program does not guarantee your child's enrollment into the program.  
• If your child is eligible for both a preschool program and the Young 5's program, it is strongly encouraged to follow through with preschool registration until an official invitations has been extended. 
• Priority will be given to students that turn five (5) years of age between August 1st and December 1st, do not qualify for preschool programs, and/ or would benefit from the additional experiences to acclimate to school.

It is our hope to finalize placement into the Young 5's Program no later than the beginning of August.