Kamehameha Preschools Applications

Kamehameha Schools News Release

Kamehameha preschool applications are now being accepted for the 2014-2015 school year at the Kalama`ula, Molokai preschool. Families applying must be current residents of the state of Hawaii and all applications must be received by Kamehameha Schools’ (KS) Admissions Department no later than Jan. 31, 2014.

This year, KS will be applying a new preschool entry age requirement in alignment with the Department of Education’s (DOE) Kindergarten age requirement and the elimination of the Jr. Kindergarten program that will take effect during the 2014-15 school year. New students applying for KS preschools for the upcoming school year must be 3 years old by July 31, 2014 to be eligible for the 3-year-old program and 4 years old by July 31, 2014 to be eligible for the 4-year-old program.

“Since approximately 80 percent of our KS preschoolers matriculate into public schools and the minimum entrance age for public Kindergarten is 5, roughly 40 percent of our KS preschool keiki will not have met the minimum age requirement to enter the public Kindergarten program,” said Terry Kelly, director of KS’ Community Based Early Childhood Education Department. “The 40 percent would be left without structured educational programming with the elimination of the Jr. K 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.”

To achieve a seamless transition from the KS program, in the next two years, KS will be creating a 5-year-old program to accommodate the needs of those 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 DOE Kindergarten in 2016.

Kamehameha operates 29 preschools statewide that enroll over 1,500 children ages 3 and 4. The focus of KS’ preschool program is to promote each child’s overall well-being addressing the child’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language, cultural and spiritual development. KS preschools, in partnership with families help each child achieve his/her highest potential by providing a setting for formal learning – classrooms, staff, materials, equipment, facilities and other students – and by facilitating active, meaningful learning experiences.

For more information about applying to KS preschools and information about the preschool program, visit ksbe.edu/admissions or call 842-8800. Neighbor island applicants may call toll-free 1-800-842-4682, ex. 28800. Information and help with the application process is also available at the KS Resource Center – Molokai, (808) 553-3673, open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.