It’s hard to think of a year more vital to a student’s success than kindergarten. The foundations of everything your child will learn from now until the 12th grade can be traced back to the skills learned in this ever-important time. What’s equally important is where your child enrolls in kindergarten. Parents and caregivers can trust their kindergartners to Duval County Public Schools.

We are Jacksonville's leader in kindergarten enrollment. Our educators have more longevity and experience than anyone else in executing proven strategies that unlock your child’s potential. Our kindergarten teachers also have a lot of heart. We aim to ignite a passion leading to a lifelong learning love.

Whether we’re teaching students how to read, problem-solve, express themselves, or interact with others, we know how to prepare kindergartners for long-term academic growth. Make kindergarten at Duval County Public Schools your child's first step to success in elementary, middle, high school, college, and beyond.

When it comes to implementing successful instructional strategies for kindergartners, we know what works. Our approach involves using tried and true research-based methods and specialized programs while constantly innovating and tailoring our teaching to each unique learner.

Our primary goal with kindergarten students is to introduce them to the world of education. We strive to teach our students the fundamentals while making instruction feel fun, playful, and creative.

Above all, we want our students to love learning! If we can teach them to love books, counting, and asking questions, then that means we’re building a strong foundation for them to explore different interests and career paths in middle school and high school.

A Typical School Day

A typical day in a Duval County Public Schools kindergarten classroom is one full of fun, enriching activities geared toward building knowledge and stirring curiosity. Students are surrounded by friendly, caring staff who prioritize their success. Each day our kindergartners are forming friendships, tackling new challenges, and creating lasting memories. Some daily activities include:

• Using letters and sounds to read and write

• Making sense of numbers through counting, putting them together, and taking them apart.

• Center time

• Collaborative learning

• Resources classes – either Art, Physical Education, or Music

• Library time

• Fun stretch breaks

• Handwriting

• Snack time

• Blending Learning through the Waterford Online Program

• Storytime

• Recess

Explore the sections below to learn the major academic milestones your child will master once they have completed kindergarten. Clicking on each subject will reveal a list of the state's instructional standards for that content area.

We believe a good education and student safety go hand in hand. Our administrators work closely with school police to implement measures that create a safe, welcoming environment and provide peace of mind. Below are some of the safety measures and protocols we take daily with your kindergartner in mind.

Security Presence at Every Elementary School

Foundational reading and writing skills are front and center in our kindergarten classrooms. Whether students are learning letters, sounds, or print concepts, they’re gaining the tools they need to grow as fluent readers in elementary, middle, and high school.

Building Safeguards and Protocols

Here are some of the safety features and protocols you can find at each of our schools:

• All campuses are built with safeguards and safety measures such as secured entry, lighting, fencing, and hard corners.

• Thanks to funds made available through the voluntary half-penny sales tax, additional security enhancements and upgrades are being made to all schools.

• We lock all doors in the building and require a badge for entry of staff.

• All visitors must come through the main office and are buzzed in by office staff.

• All visitors must also show their driver's license and are subject to an immediate background screening through their IDs.

Our Procedures for Safe Student Dismissal

We've implemented the Pikmykid app in all elementary schools to provide an easy and safe way for parents to manage and monitor their kindergarten student's school dismissal. Parents receive alerts on how and when their child is dismissed.

Kindergarten Bus Riders and Walkers

Bus riders: Our Transportation Department has developed protocols and procedures to keep kindergarten students safe as they ride the bus. This begins with filling out a special dismissal form for kindergarten students. This form lets parents know that if mom and dad are not waiting at the bus stop, the child will not be dropped off unattended. You can learn more about bus-riding procedures for kindergarten students on our Transportation page.

Walkers: Because of their age, kindergartners are not permitted to walk home alone. We also require a parent or guardian to be there to pick them up. Your child will not be released to any other adult without prior approval.

How old does my child need to be to attend kindergarten in Duval County?
Your child must be 5 years of age on or before Sep. 1 of the year they are to be enrolled in Kindergarten. 

When does kindergarten enrollment open in Jacksonville, Florida?
Kindergarten enrollment with Duval County Public Schools typically opens up in January for the following school year. 

How do I enroll my child in kindergarten at Duval County Public Schools?
You can begin the enrollment process online or at any of our schools in five simple steps. Visit our district enrollment page to learn more about the requirements, the necessary documents, and more.

How do I find the right school for my child?
Duval County Public Schools is a school choice district, which means we have many options for elementary programs and locations across the city to send our children to school. To learn more about our schools, visit our Enrollment and School Choice page.