Begin the Dragon Journey
Students are engaged in activities and learning opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively in the early learning environment. The maximum number of students for 3-year-olds is 16 students with two teachers.
Our 3-year-preschool program days, times and expense are listed in the chart below. Project Ready for School Scholarships are available for qualifying students. To attend, children must be three years old by Sept. 15 and do not need to live in the district.
Curriculum
The Johnston preschool curriculum is based on the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, early literacy concepts, Zaner Bloser writing and Everyday Math. The curriculum also adheres to the Iowa Early Learning Standards for Preschool. The Early Childhood program is accredited in the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS).
Also available in the preschool program:
- Field trips
- Hearing, vision and speech screenings
- A literacy assessment
- Parent/teacher conferences held twice yearly
Philosophy
Our philosophy is to include all children. Children with special needs are included in our preschool classrooms. An early childhood special education (ECSE) teacher and associates work in the classroom to support the individual educational goals of the ECSE children. The preschool teacher and the ECSE teacher work together as a team to implement the curriculum.
2025-26 Registration (Opens 7 a.m. Feb. 10, 2025)
| Children enrolling in 2 & 3 Year Old Preschool need to register through https://johnston.ce.eleyo.com/. Online is the quickest and preferred way to register. You will need to set up an account in Eleyo if you don’t already have one prior to registering for 2 & 3 Year Old Preschool. Registration by phone is also available, starting 7 a.m. Feb. 10, 2025.
For questions about registration, class availability or for interpreter services, please direct questions to Enrollment Specialist Angie Dicken at 515-252-8445 or enrollment@johnston.k12.ia.us. For questions specifically about preschool curriculum and programming, please contact JELA Director Joy Palmer at 515-727-5352 or jpalmer@johnston.k12.ia.us. 2 & 3 Year Old Preschool classes are first come, first serve. If your desired course is already full, add your child to the wait list. If there are several children on the wait list, we will see if additional class sections can be added. *Children must be age 2 by Sept. 15, 2024 to enroll in 2 Year Old preschool and age 3 by Sept. 15, 2024 to enroll in 3 Year Old preschool. |
| ALL FAMILIES REGISTERING FOR 2 & 3 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL (Opens 7 a.m. Feb. 10, 2025) |
| 1. Go to johnston.ce.eleyo.com and choose your preferred preschool class time. Learn about the different class times and prices here. |
| 2. Pay the $65 one time, non-refundable program fee.**A scholarship program may be available. This scholarship provides financial assistance for families who qualify to help cover the expense of 2 or 3 Year Old Preschool tuition. Application are available online at bit.ly/jela-scholarship. |
| 3. Enter your information and you will receive an email with the next steps in the registration process. NOTE: Registration is not final until all steps have been completed. |
| 4. Turn in or mail a hard copy of your child’s physical and immunization records to the JELA office (P.O. Box 10, 6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) by May 1, 2025. |
Placement is on a first come, first service bases until each class is filled. There is a $65 one-time non-refundable program fee required upon initial registration. Your family will receive a follow up email to complete your registration through Infinite Campus at a later date.
2025-2026 3-year preschool Program Class Schedule and Fees
Four days/week class schedule | $370/month
| TIME | DAYS | NUMBER OF STUDENTS | LOCATION |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy (6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy |
| 12:30- 3:00 p.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy |
Three days/week class schedule | $310/month
| TIME | DAYS | NUMBER OF STUDENTS | LOCATION |
| 12:30- 3:00 p.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy |
Two days/week class schedule | $235/month
| TIME | DAYS | NUMBER OF STUDENTS | LOCATION |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. | Tues. & Thurs. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy (6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. | Tues. & Thurs. | 16 | Johnston Early Learning Academy (6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) |
| 9:00-11:30 a.m. | Wed. & Fri. | 12 | Johnston Early Learning Academy (6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) |
Project Ready for School
Project Ready for School is a scholarship program for preschoolers who qualify to help them have a successful experience in kindergarten. The scholarship provides preschool tuition and family literacy visits. You must live in the Johnston Community School District to qualify and the child must be three or four years old by Sept. 15. Call Joy Palmer at 515-727-JELA (5352) for an application or for more information.
Project Ready for School Scholarship Application
Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.7and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; web site: Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
Additional Telephone Numbers
English/Spanish 1-866-632-9992
English (TDD) 1-800-877-8339
Spanish (TDD) 1-800-845-6136
Registration Questions?
For questions about registration, class availability or for interpreter services, please direct questions to the enrollment office at 515-252-8445 or enrollment@johnston.k12.ia.us.
JELA Questions?
For questions specifically about preschool curriculum and programming at the Johnston Early Learning Academy, please contact JELA Director Joy Palmer at 515-727-5352 or jpalmer@johnston.k12.ia.us.
