Children must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1 of the respective school year to register for kindergarten.

Online registration is available. Families can also register in person at their neighborhood school. Hours vary by school; check online or call the school for a schedule.  

Even if you register online, the following documents must be received by your neighborhood school to complete the registration process:

• Verification of child’s birth date (birth certificate, passport, baptismal certificate, military ID, original or certified copies accepted)
• Immunization records or signed State of Colorado Exemption Certificate
• Proof of residency (ex. government-issued ID, utility bill)

Paper student enrollment forms are available through the Kindergarten Registration page or at school sites. 

Find more information about how to register on the Kindergarten Registration page.

No, kindergarten is free for all families.

Before the 2019-20 school year, PSD families paid tuition for full-day kindergarten because state funding did not cover all the costs for full-day programs. With the passage of House Bill 1262, Colorado now funds students enrolled in full-day kindergarten at the same amount as students enrolled full-time in other grades. This allows Colorado school districts to offer free full-day kindergarten.  

There are 33 elementary schools in PSD, as of the 2026-2027 school year. All families must register at their neighborhood school, even if they have also applied to attend their school of choice. Learn more about School Choice in PSD.

Different instructional program options are available, including Core Knowledge, International Baccalaureate, Expeditionary Learning, Bilingual Immersion, STEM/STEAM, Project-Based Learning, Leader in Me, and more.  

To apply to attend a school other than your neighborhood school, you must complete a school choice application. Applications will be processed after they are received, and you will be notified by email of your status. 

If you are applying to send your child to a school other than your neighborhood school, you should still register at your neighborhood school. This ensures your student is registered and accounted for should your school choice option not be available.  

NOTE: Choice-only schools and charter schools are different. Charter schools operate independently and are not subject to the PSD School of Choice process. To apply to a charter school, contact that school directly.

Kindergarten is the foundation for a student’s academic career. In kindergarten, children:  

• Learn how to be a student and establish a love of learning.
• Gain independence. 
• Build early literacy skills and problem-solving skills. 
• Learn social skills like getting along with others, playing and sharing, making connections, and growing friendships. 
• Experience a whole-child education where they grow academically, socially and emotionally.

Yes, some schools do offer free, half-day kindergarten. If you are interested in this option, please contact your neighborhood school to find out if they offer it.

Children do not have to be reading yet to attend kindergarten. In PSD, students learn critical early literacy skills that support them throughout their lives. 

Deciding to send your child to kindergarten can be a difficult decision if you aren't sure if your child is ready. The articles linked below cover school readiness and developmental milestones that help children be more successful in kindergarten. You can also talk with a PSD kindergarten teacher about your child's readiness by contacting the school you plan to attend.

• Is your preschooler ready for kindergarten? from the American Academy of Pediatrics