FAQ's - Kindergarten-Specific

  • What are the hours of the kindergarten school day?
    Click here for school hours.
     
     
     
    How many children are in each class?

    At this time, the Menlo Park City School District participates in the class size reduction program which aims for first through third grade classes in the 20-23 range.  Kindergarten classes may fill to 24 students.
     
     
     
    How many children attend Laurel School?

    Laurel is a K-5 school with an enrollment of approximately 640 students.
     
     
     
    How do I learn more about the Spanish immersion option? 

    Parents interested in enrolling in Spanish immersion must attend a required parent information night. Click here for more information.
     
     
     
    How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

    Children who will turn five on or before September 1st are eligible to attend kindergarten this school year. If you are uncertain about your child’s readiness for kindergarten, we encourage you to speak to your child’s preschool teacher and gather input. Some of the skills that we hope your child will acquire before the start of school include self-help skills such as independent toileting, putting on his/her own jacket and ability to load and unload a backpack. In the academic areas, we anticipate children will be able to attend to a task for 15-20 minutes, listen and respond to a story, accurately count to 20, name most of the letters of the alphabet, and identify & write his/her name.
     
     
     
    How will my child be challenged and supported to learn at his/her pace?

    The K-5 grade ranges naturally includes a great variance in developmental levels. Teachers are experts at meeting this variety of needs by planning for differentiated instruction. Whole group instruction often occurs on the rug area, followed by small group or independent practice at centers designed to support students’ growth.
     
     
     
    What do you provide in addition to the regular classroom instruction?

    Laurel students attend library, music, art, and physical education classes. In addition, they attend computer lab where they use technology learning tools to help reinforce curriculum.
     
     
     
    What is available for after-school activities?

    The Laurel PTO coordinates a diverse offering of after-school activity options for students in all grades. Please click here for details.