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Ann Arbor Kindergartens & Young 5s Guide - 4 kindergartners stand in front of a school with backpacks

Ann Arbor Young 5s & Kindergarten School Guide for 2026-2027

It’s time for Kindergarten & Young/5s Enrollment. We’ve got a list of Ann Arbor Kindergarten and Young 5 Programs plus Roundup Dates. Check out the information below on Ann Arbor area Elementary Schools.

Kindergarten vs Young 5s

Kindergarten has changed since I was in school. There are more academic expectations and it is now a full-day program. Young 5s offers a transitional program for younger children who are not quite ready for Kindergarten.

The Young 5s program has become increasingly popular in recent years. When my college student started in AAPS, there were only a couple of Young 5 programs in AAPS. Now every elementary school offers a Young 5s program.

For Ann Arbor Public Schools, students must be born between May 1 and December 1 to be eligible for the Young 5s Program. Most Young 5s programs are full day programs. There are limited Young 5 slots at each school. If you are interested in this program, plan to enroll at the Roundup.

Lotteries, In-District Transfer & School of Choice

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Lotteries are used for Ann Arbor Open (K-8) and Community High School. Both schools are in high demand. In-District Transfer allows district residents to apply to a school other than their home school. School of choice allows non-district residents to attend Ann Arbor Public Schools.

For the 2026-2027 School Year, AAPS has moved the dates for the first window of In District Transfer (Young 5s, and High School) up by a month. I do like the new dates because it will hopefully minimize the impact of weather canceling information sessions.

There are typically several windows for In-District Transfer and School of Choice. At the close of each window, applicants are notified of their assignment. It is always best to apply in the early rounds. I know my daughter’s guidance counselor said that in 2019-2020 Pioneer was the only one of the 3 comprehensive high schools to close to transfers. COVID did change the procedures for IDT and School of Choice, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

AAPS Only accepts applications for IDT & School of Choice in the spring for the following year.

  • In District Transfer Only
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) November 18, 2025-January 6, 2026 – Young Fives Kindergarten, 9th & 10th at Pioneer, Skyline, & Huron, and IB-11th grade at Huron
    • (Anticipated 2026-2027 dates) March 3-31, 2026. (Dates for 2025-2026 school year) February 25-March 31, 2025 – Definitely grades K-8, Likely Y5s & grades 9-11
  • School of Choice Only
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) April 14-May 13 – Last year In-District Transfers were also accepted at this window. No announcement on IDT for this window in 2026-2027
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) June 2-July 1
    • (Dates for 2026-2027 school year) July 23-August 6

Other Public School Districts

Updates below are as of January 8, 2025 for the 25-26 school year.

  • Dexter (Dates for 2025-2026) February 17-28 & July 14-28, 2025 – Young 5-8th grade, high school only for IB program
  • Whitmore Lake – (Dates for 2025-2026) School of choice opened on February 17. Second semester dates should open up (TBD as of 11/9)
  • Saline – (Dates for 2025-2026) April 7-May 6, 2025 .
  • Ypsilanti – (Dates for 2025-2026) February 13-September 30, 2025. October 2, 2025-February 10, 2026
  • Lincoln – (Dates for 2025-2026) School of Choice open April 1, 2025-February 11, 2026
  • Milan – (Dates for 2025-2026) April 1-Oct0ber 1 for first semester.. December 1-January 16 for second semester

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Explore the Ivybrook Difference

Saturdays, January 31, February 7 & 21

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Thurston Players Rollin’ on the Riverboat

Saturday & Sunday March 7 & 8

Young 5s & Kindergarten Roundups, Information Sessions, & Open Houses

Each school/district seems to use a different term – Roundup, Information Session, Open House – and may even offer more than one of these.

Even with the same name each school will run their event a little differently. Some will be parent only, some will include students. You will typically learn about the school, have a tour, and an opportunity to enroll. Each school will operate theirs a little different. I suggest contacting the school to see if your future kindergartener should attend.

All Events

Date/TimeEvent
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October 12
10:00am-11:00am

Kindergarten Open House and Playtime


at Hebrew Day School at the JCC, Ann Arbor MI
🌟 Calling Ann Arbor families with Young 5s & Kindergarteners! 🌟 Hebrew Day School is excited to invite you to "Taste of Gan" – fun open house events at Hebrew Day School!"Gan" means kindergarten in Hebrew, and these mornings are perfect for families exploring Jewish education or interfaith families curious...Read More
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November 16
10:00am-11:00am

Kindergarten Open House and Playtime


at Hebrew Day School at the JCC, Ann Arbor MI
🌟 Calling Ann Arbor families with Young 5s & Kindergarteners! 🌟 Hebrew Day School is excited to invite you to "Taste of Gan" – fun open house events at Hebrew Day School!"Gan" means kindergarten in Hebrew, and these mornings are perfect for families exploring Jewish education or interfaith families curious...Read More
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November 16
11:30am-1:00pm
Greenhills Lower School First Look
at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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November 16
2:00pm-3:30pm
Greenhills Lower School First Look
at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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December 11
6:00pm-7:00pm
Ann Arbor Open Information Session
at Ann Arbor Open School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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December 14
10:00am-11:00am

Kindergarten Open House and Playtime


at Hebrew Day School at the JCC, Ann Arbor MI
🌟 Calling Ann Arbor families with Young 5s & Kindergarteners! 🌟 Hebrew Day School is excited to invite you to "Taste of Gan" – fun open house events at Hebrew Day School!"Gan" means kindergarten in Hebrew, and these mornings are perfect for families exploring Jewish education or interfaith families curious...Read More
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January 10
2:00pm-3:30pm
Get to Know Greenhills Lower School Information Session
at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 2
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Mitchell
at Mitchell Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 2
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Burns Park
at Burns Park School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 4
9:00am-11:00am
Emerson Small Group Tour & Admissions Event
at Emerson School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 4
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Bach
at Bach Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 5
5:30pm-8:00pm
Saline Area Schools Information & Resource Fair
at Saline High School, Saline Michigan
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February 11
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS King
at King Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Pittsfield
at Pittsfield Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup & Preschool Open House - AAPS Thurston
at Thurston Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
5:45pm-6:45pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Eberwhite
at Eberwhite Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Abbot
at Abbot Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Carpenter
at Carpenter Elementry, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
6:00pm-7:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Logan
at Logan Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Wines
at Wines Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 11
6:00pm-7:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup & Tuition Preschool Open House - AAPS Allen
at Allen Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 19
5:00pm-6:00pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS A2 STEAM
at A2 Steam @ Northside, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 19
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Haisley
at Haisley Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 22
1:00pm-3:00pm

Kindergarten Round Up & Preschool Open House


at St. Andrew Catholic School, Saline Michigan
Join St Andrew Catholic School for their Kindergarten Round Up & Preschool Open House. Tour the building, visit classrooms, and meet staff. All teachers will be present, so feel free to bring older students as well!
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February 23
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Lawton
at Lawton Elementary, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 25
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Angell
at Angell Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 25
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Bryant/Pattengill
at Bryant Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 25
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Dicken
at Dicken Elementary, Ann Arbor Michigan
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February 25
5:30pm-6:30pm
Kindergarten and Young Fives Roundup - AAPS Lakewood
at Lakewood Elementary School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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March 3
9:00am-11:00am
Emerson Small Group Tour & Admissions Event
at Emerson School, Ann Arbor Michigan
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May 6
6:00pm-7:00pm
Woodland Meadows Y5 & K Building Walkthrough
at Woodland Meadows Elementary, Saline MI
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May 13
6:00pm-7:00pm
Pleasant Ridge Y5 & K Building Walkthrough
at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, Saline Michigan
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May 20
6:00pm-7:00pm
Harvest Y5 & K Building Walkthrough
at Harvest Elementary School, Saline Michigan

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Ann Arbor Young 5s & Kindergarten Listings

Did we miss your school or would you like to upgrade to a full listing? Check out more information and submit your listing.

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Ann Arbor K-12 Guide

Where you looking for a middle school or a high school? Check out our K-12 Guide.

Ann Arbor K-12 School Guide for 2026-2027

Whether you have a child starting Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, are new to the area or just looking for a change, our 2025-2026 Ann Arbor K-12 School Guide will help you find the right fit. Thank you to the Schools who purchased upgraded listings. Elementary School Information Sessions Attending an Open House is one of […]

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1 thought on “Ann Arbor Young 5s & Kindergarten School Guide for 2026-2027”

  1. The Discovery Center will be hosting their Young 5’s Open House on Wednesday, March 12th from 6-7 pm.

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