Spend a Year Preparing for Kindergarten
We are excited to welcome you and your family to the Johnston Early Learning Academy! Please register your child for an exemplary early learning educational experience.
The objective of our 4-year-old preschool program is to provide a quality education for children during the year(s) before entering kindergarten. To attend, children must be four years old by September 15 and do not need to live in the district.
Tuition is provided through the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. This funding provides an opportunity for all young children in the state of Iowa to enter school ready to learn by expanding access to quality preschool curricula for all four-year-old children. There are no fees to attend 4-year old preschool.
All preschool programs have state licensed early childhood teachers. Maximum number of students for the 4-year-old program is 20 students with two teachers.
Curriculum
The Johnston Preschool Curriculum is based on the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, early literacy concepts, Zaner Bloser writing and Everyday Math. Students are engaged in activities and learning opportunities to grow socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively in the early learning environment. 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.
2024-25 Registration (Opens 8 a.m. Feb. 12, 2024)
| New Families | Click this purple button for New Families if you have no students currently enrolled in Johnston schools. This will take you directly to the Online Registration page for new families. For additional details, check out our 2024-25 New Student Registration page, which includes required documents for enrollment. |
| Existing Families | Click this purple button for Existing Families if you have one or more students currently enrolled in Johnston schools. This takes you to Infinite Campus, where you would:
1. Select the Campus Parent portal. NOTE: Registration is not final until all steps have been completed. |
2024-25 4-year-old Preschool Program Class Schedule
(No fees due to Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program Grant)
Four days/week class schedule
| TIME | DAYS | NUMBER OF STUDENTS | LOCATION |
| 9:00-11:45 a.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. | 20 | Johnston Early Learning Academy (6207 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston) |
| 12:30- 3:15 p.m. | Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. | 20 | Johnston Early Learning Academy |
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 September 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
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.
