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Each student, every time, empowered to succeed.

4-year-old Kindergarten

4-year-old Kindergarten

There is no more important work than preparing our youngest learners to take on the world. The 4-year-old kindergarten program offered by the Mequon-Thiensville School District offers all young children in Mequon and Thiensville with the opportunity to participate in a quality early learning program designed to launch them to a promising future.

Our 4K is an activity-based, developmentally appropriate program taught by highly-qualified Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction licensed early childhood or pre-kindergarten teachers. Our passionate educators nurture students’ innate curiosity while preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

The 4K curriculum is aligned to the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. A focus on learning through play and active exploration of the environment nurtures skills in literacy, numeracy and social-emotional development.

Students also gain regular exposure to visual art, music, and physical education through classes taught by specialized, licensed educators.

4K Program Options

We offer a tuition-free, half-day kindergarten for four-year-olds, five days per week at our three elementary schools—Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, and Wilson—as well as one morning section with community partner Range Line Preschool and Childcare. Classes run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-11:45 a.m. (morning session) or 1:15-4 p.m. (afternoon session).

Morning and Afternoon Placements & Lottery
Families indicate their morning or afternoon program preference during pre-registration. Student placements in morning or afternoon sections will be made according to family preference whenever possible. We retain the right to make final decisions on placements.

If more families indicate a preference for a morning or afternoon section than we have available seats, we will enact a formal lottery system, which is the most equitable approach to situations in which capacity is limited. Registrations received after May 1st will not be included in the lottery.

Families may still enroll at any time after the May 1 pre-registration deadline, however, those families will not participate in the class preference lottery.

4K Program Information

  • We invite parents/guardians to schedule a visit in order to meet the principal, ask questions and see elementary school classrooms in action. Please contact your home school directly to make an appointment with your school's principal.

    • Donges Bay Elementary: dongesbay@mtsd.k12.wi.us
    • Oriole Lane Elementary: oriolelane@mtsd.k12.wi.us
    • Wilson Elementary: wilson@mtsd.k12.wi.us
    • Community Partner Range Line Preschool and Childcare: 262-242-4453

  • If you're not sure which of our elementary schools is your home school, please view our attendance zone map, or contact the student services department for assistance.

    Student Services Department
    262-238-8510register@mtsd.k12.wi.us

  • Transportation is available on existing bus routes for both morning and afternoon sections. Service is also provided between the school and approved childcare providers within your child's school attendance zone. This is referred to as alternative transportation.

    We provide elementary-aged student pick-up and drop-off bus service to the following community daycare facilities:

    Donges Bay Oriole Lane Wilson
    Dezigned 4 Kidz CCC, Inc. Dezigned 4 Kidz CCC, Inc.

    North Shore Preschool & Child Care
    Gan Ami Early Childhood (Mequon) Gan Ami Early Childhood (Mequon)

    Range Line Preschool & Childcare
    Kids Rule Academy Kids Rule Academy

    Kids Rule Academy
    Mequon Jewish Preschool Range Line Preschool & Childcare

    Milwaukee Jewish Preschool
    Range Line Preschool & Childcare

    Ozaukee Childcare & Preschool

    		  

    Mommy & Me Childcare

    		    

    Aleksa Learning Center

    		    

  • The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department is pleased to offer on-site 4K Wrap Care for our families with children enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten at Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, and Wilson Elementary schools. The program will be offered from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., with AM and PM sessions available.

    4K Wrap Care Information & Registration

    Kids’ Campus is a Before and After School Program offered by the Mequon-Thiensville School District and Recreation Department. Kids’ Campus is available for children in 4K through 5th grade. Programs are conveniently located at Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, and Wilson elementary schools to ensure a smooth transition between the school day and before and after school care.

    Before and After School Care

  • If you have questions about the pre-registration or enrollment process, please contact Student Services Administrative Assistant Michelle Halloran at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us.

Pre-Registration and Enrollment

Families are asked to pre-register their child for 4K (or 5K if the child will be new to MTSD)

The pre-registration window is OPEN NOW through May 1, 2026 for preference consideration. Click this link to pre-register your child now. (Click “Start New Enrollment”) Note: Online pre-registration will remain open after May 1. However, all pre-registration steps must be completed by May 1 to be eligible for the AM/PM session placement lottery (if a lottery is needed).

Save the Date: The District-Wide 4K Open House at all three MTSD elementary schools will take place on Thursday, February 26th, from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. The 4K Open House provides an opportunity for 4K families to visit the 4K classrooms and meet the teachers.

  • Each year, we hold a designated pre-registration for four-year-old kindergarten. The purpose of pre-registration is to get a good idea of 4K enrollment projections in order to develop class rosters and determine staffing. Families can also indicate their morning or afternoon class preference, and pick up some useful information.

    Why pre-registration?

    • Pre-registration allows us to develop preliminary enrollment projections and allocate staff accordingly.
    • During pre-registration, families indicate their preferred morning or afternoon program. Student placements in morning or afternoon sections will be made according to family preference when possible. If more families indicate a preference for a morning or afternoon section than we have available seats, we will enact a lottery system, which is the most equitable approach. Pre-registrations are not time-stamped, meaning the date and time the enrollment is completed does not influence section placements. We retain the right to make final decisions on placements. We will inform families of their child’s placement in May.

  • During the pre-registration window (dates TBD), please provide proof of residency documentation to Michelle Halloran at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us. Your child may not be officially pre-registered until proof of residency is received. Therefore, you will not be included in the class placement lottery until proof of residency is received and verified.

    Learn more about proof of residency requirements at Residency Requirements.

    How can I provide these documents?
    Download a PDF of your tax bill, scan a copy of your tax bill or rental agreement, or take a picture of your rental lease. Email the PDF or image of your documentation to Michelle Halloran in the Student Services office at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us on or before May 1.

  • Birth Certificate
    Please note that either Michelle Halloran or your child’s school office staff will need to view and verify your child’s original birth certificate (or passport) prior to the start of the school year.

    Immunizations
    Families must submit legally mandated immunization records. Records can be submitted anytime prior to the start of the school year (or within 30 days of the start of school) and do not need to be submitted during pre-registration. Learn more about immunization requirements at Immunizations. 

    Learn more about immunization requirements.

    Wisconsin Department of Health Services Student Immunization Record
    (Printable PDF)

    If you have any questions about the process to pre-register or the required documentation, you can always feel free to connect with the student services office. Contact Michelle Halloran at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us.

What Happens After Pre-Registration?

After you complete online pre-registration, please submit the following documentation to Michelle Halloran at mhalloran@mtsd.k12.wi.us. Pre-registration is not complete until this documentation is received. Please provide during the pre-registration window. This can be done at any time school offices are open. Families will also be asked to complete online enrollment in August (which is required of all students and is different than pre-registration).

Community Partner

Range Line Preschool & Childcare is a community partner site for families who prefer that their child receive instruction at the same facility as their full-day childcare. Range Line Preschool offers the same curriculum as is taught at our three school sites, taught by a DPI-certified teacher and under the supervision of administrative staff from the school district.

Please note: Families must enroll with MTSD for this 4K option, and must also enroll separately with Range Line Preschool for before- or after-school childcare needs. Please plan to submit documentation and proof of residency to the school district office.