Engaging curriculum designed specifically for children to learn practical skills to prepare them for K-12 and beyond.
Ages: 4 & 5
Student must turn 4 by August 31st at the beginning of school year attending.
Full Day: Monday-Friday, 8:15 am-3:15 pm | 11:15 am Wednesday dismissal
Partial Day:
AM 5 Days: 8:15 am – 11:15 am
PM 4 Days: 12:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Locations: 8 Locations within Elementary schools across the district
Enroll in a Kindergarten Prep class
Kindergarten Prep transforms learning into a walk of discovery, offering safe and exciting opportunities for experimentation, challenge, and fun at every turn! This program is designed to give your child a jump-start on becoming a prepared and eager student ready for the rigors of Kindergarten and being a valued member of Gilbert Public Schools! The Kindergarten Prep curriculum focuses on literacy and academic content in an intentionally developed preschool environment. Fundations, which provide a strong foundation for reading and writing, are introduced and focused on daily.
All programs are aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards, and are supplemented with:
- Handwriting Without Tears
- STEM Activities
- Unplugged Coding
Kindergarten Prep Programs
Conventional Kindergarten Prep - Ashland Ranch-AM; Highland Park, Val Vista Lakes & Superstition Springs Elementary
The Kindergarten Prep curriculum focuses on literacy and academic content in an intentionally developed preschool environment. It is aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards, and is supplemented with: Fundations, LETRs EC, Handwriting Without Tears, We Thinkers! Social-Emotional curriculum, STEAM and Unplugged Coding activities.
Advanced/Gifted Learning Kindergarten Prep - Ashland Ranch Elementary ONLY
Is your child an advanced learner or possibly gifted? Advanced Learners meet the step stones early and acquire skills quickly. Gifted preschoolers often display insatiable curiosity and a natural drive to learn. If this sounds like your child, the KPrep Advanced/Gifted Learning Preschool program at Ashland Ranch Elementary might be a perfect fit!
Program Highlights:
- PM Session: Designed for advanced and gifted learners, fostering critical and creative thinking in a supportive environment.
- Certified Instruction: Taught by an Early Childhood Certified teacher with a Gifted endorsement.
- Rigorous Curriculum: A 4-day-per-week program focusing on literacy, Pre-K standards at an accelerated pace, and Kinder standards. Includes:
- Kinder Fundations and ReadyGEN routines
- LETRs EC, Handwriting Without Tears, and We Thinkers!
- STEAM and Unplugged Coding activities
- Tailored strategies and higher-level questioning to meet diverse needs
Enrollment and Testing:
- Enroll online for Ashland Ranch KPrep PM session.
- After enrollment, the campus will schedule a FREE advanced learning screener to determine eligibility.
- Optional Gifted Testing: Offered by appointment starting in January, with a $175 non-refundable fee. Testing takes 1–3 hours, and a parent/guardian must remain on-site.
Please note: Enrollment in KPrep does not guarantee qualification for gifted services.
Foster your child’s potential with Ashland Ranch KPrep!
Click here to register for Gifted Cluster testing
S.T.E.A.M. Kindergarten Prep - Quartz Hill Elementary ONLY
Focused curriculum designed specifically for children to learn practical skills to prepare them for K-12 and beyond. The Kindergarten Prep curriculum focuses on literacy and academic content in an intentionally developed preschool environment. It is supplemented with: Fundations, LETRs EC, Handwriting Without Tears, We Thinkers! Social-Emotional curriculum. KPrep at this campus has an emphasis on S.T.E.A.M. and Unplugged Coding activities.
Through project-based learning, the concepts of problem solving, creativity and investigation are introduced and reinforced to our early learners in the S.T.E.A.M. Kindergarten Prep program offered at Quartz Hill Elementary. This full school-day program has an approach to teaching and learning that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math to guide student inquiry, discussion, and problem solving. Learning experiences align with the Arizona Early Learning standards as they support developing early critical thinking skills and global mindedness. Through these experiences, children will use their imagination, be innovators and be inspired as emerging Trailblazers!
Traditional Kindergarten Prep - Spectrum & Canyon Rim Elementary & Neely Traditional Academy
The Traditional curriculum utilizes a primary language arts program based on the Spalding Method using 'The Writing Road to Reading' (2012). It is a phonics-based program with an emphasis on oral phonogram practice. The mathematics program, Math in Focus, is a comprehensive program that develops strong algebraic concepts and problem-solving skills. Science, music, art, and physical education are introduced daily through hands-on discovery and other intentionally developed activities. Programming is supplemented with: Handwriting Without Tears, LETRs EC, We Thinkers! Social-Emotional Curriculum, STEM, and Unplugged Coding activities.
Traditional Kindergarten Prep, offered at Canyon Rim Elementary, Spectrum Elementary and Neely Traditional Academy, is designed to give students that will be attending a Traditional Kindergarten a jump-start on their educational pathway.
K Prep Enrollment & Tuition Information
2025-2026 School Year
Registration Fee: $50
Tuition overview (see registration website for complete details on each option):
-
AM Classes – 5 days per week, $530 per month (Mon–Fri, 8:15-11:15)
-
PM Classes – 4 days per week, $410 per month (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 12:15–3:15 pm)
- FULL DAY Classes – 5 days per week, $950 per month (8:15 am–3:15 pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & 8:15 am–11:15 am Wed)
For registrations prior to or on June 30, 2025, a $100 security deposit and $50 registration fee will be collected at the time of registration with the remaining tuition balance due by July 15, 2025. Both the security deposit and registration fee are non-refundable.
For registration on or after July 1, 2025, the registration fee and 1st-month tuition are due at the time of registration and are both non-refundable.
Gilbert Public Schools Employee Rate - please call the preschool office - employment verification required
Intellectual/Cognitive Development
- Acquire language and literacy skills
- Develop listening skills
- Gain problem-solving and logical thinking skills
- Use new skills in play experiences
Social and Emotional Development
- Cultivate a positive attitude
- Explore an active community with a rich diversity
- Practice cooperation and respectful ways to resolve conflicts
- Experience a growing sense of self-esteem
Physical Development
- Refine gross and fine motor skills
- Gain confidence in physical capabilities
- Use all senses for total learning
Doing = Learning
- Active learning promotes concept retention and skills development, so we've built participation into every phase of our pre-K curriculum:
- Language and Literacy
- Letter and word games
- Singing and storytelling
- Dramatic/pretend play
Math and Science
- Counting and measuring
- Object classification
- Nature discovery
Creative Expression
- Arts and crafts
- Music and movement
- Plays
Fine Motor Development
- Block construction
- Puzzles and toys
- Sand and water play
Gross Motor Development