Kindergarten Program

No, we cannot accept teacher requests. This allows us to maintain balanced classrooms.

Yes, you will need to set up your Parent Portal account to complete enrollment. The process is very simple and user friendly. Please reach out to the front office if you need assistance setting up your account.

Our enrollment process is also mobile-friendly! Please contact the front office directly if you need any further assistance in completing your kindergarten student’s enrollment.

No, we are a tuition-free K-12 public charter school, so there is no charge to attend kindergarten.

Early Kindergarten Testing will be held late Spring 2024 depending on space availability. If scheduled, those interested in early kindergarten testing will be notified of the exact test date(s), time(s), and location.

Students who have a birthday after August 31 and on or before December 31 must pass an aptitude proficiency test in order to be enrolled in a kindergarten program. If there is a waitlist, students with a birthday before September 1 will be given priority over students with a birthday after September 1. Students who turn five after December 31 of the first year of enrollment shall not be tested or admitted to BFCS.

There is no charge for Early Kindergarten Testing.

BFCS students are assigned homework four nights per week, Monday through Thursday. Kindergarten students receive spelling and math homework each evening. Homework Club is offered after-school for a small fee. This is particularly beneficial for students whose siblings might be in an afterschool club such as band, orchestra, student council, and more. Homework club is a supervised, quiet environment for students to complete homework after school. Please speak with our front office staff to learn more and register for Homework Club.

We offer PE, Music, and Art to kindergarten students. They attend both PE and Music twice a week for 30 minutes each time, and Art once per week for an hour. The students participate in a Kindergarten holiday concert for all BFCS family and friends. They can participate in the Turkey Trot and Field Day, both school-wide physical fitness events. Students complete art projects regularly throughout their week, but dedicated art instruction is provided in one-hour increments every week.

BFCS students have three recess breaks per day with the exception of our half-day kindergarten classes, which have one recess break.

Kindergarteners receive 35 minutes total for lunch. Twenty minutes are spent eating their lunch brought from home or lunch purchased ahead of time. The remaining 15 minutes are spent outside on the playground socializing with friends.

We have a variety of before and after-school clubs and sports for your student to enjoy. Students can participate in a variety of clubs throughout the year. They vary by campus location, so we recommend asking your child’s teacher. Additionally, we partner with Center Court Athletics to offer our youngest students the opportunity to learn how to play sports such as basketball, cheer, soccer, and more.

We offer before and after-school care, called Beyond the Bell. Our Beyond the Bell program runs from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The program is structured with designated homework time, structured activities, and free play. This environment brings parents comfort, knowing that their child is in a safe place until it’s time for them to get picked up.

*Please note that Beyond the Bell is not available for some half-day Kindergarteners while school is still in session.

Communication between home and school is vital to your student’s success. You will receive weekly email newsletters from your child’s teacher and our school administration. Parent-teacher conferences are offered twice a year. You are encouraged to make an appointment with your child’s teacher whenever you have a question or concern about your child’s progress.

We love our parent volunteers here at Benjamin Franklin! All of our classrooms welcome volunteers, and there are many ways that both working and stay-at-home parents can be involved. Please speak with your child’s teacher to find out how you can help in the classroom or at special events. All visitors and volunteers on campus must sign in at the office and obtain a badge. 

Teach your child how to write his or her name, how to use scissors, and how to follow 2-3 step instructions - for example, “Get your shoes and put them on.” Have your child practice sitting still/quietly while listening to a short story. Help your child learn how to wipe his or her own nose, use the restroom alone, and wash and dry hands independently and thoroughly. Lastly, we recommend reading to your child every night to encourage a love of reading.