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
Events from our Sponsors
 Kindergarten Open House and PlaytimeSunday, November 16 |  Hillside Christmas Tree FarmWeekends November 22-December 21 |  Breakfast with SantaNovember 30, December 7, & December 14 |
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/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
| 💙🆓🎟 | October 12, 2025 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 |
| 💙🆓🎟 | November 16, 2025 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 |
| 💙🆓🎟 | November 16, 2025 11:30am-1:00pm | Greenhills Lower School First Look at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓🎟 | November 16, 2025 2:00pm-3:30pm | Greenhills Lower School First Look at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan |
| 💙🆓🎟 | December 14, 2025 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 |
January 10, 2026 2:00pm-3:30pm | Get to Know Greenhills Lower School Information Session at Greenhills Lower School, Ann Arbor Michigan |
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.
- Location: Lower School: 2775 Newport Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 High School: 2230 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 7200 Moon Rd, Saline, MI 48176
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 850 Greenhills Dr, Ann Arbor MI 48105
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 3875 Golfside Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 2937 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
- School Type:
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5)
- Location: 10550 Geddes Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: Elementary Campus (K-8): 1095 North Zeeb Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Young 5s at Primary Campus:
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 2301 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 6885 Merritt Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 1289 Jewett, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 2270 E. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 540 Elizabeth St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location:
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 5225 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5)
- Location: 1715 Forest Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 1300 N. Prospect Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198-3067
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 8200 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 5550 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 4101 East Joy Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 5425 Scio Church Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location: 2459 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor 48104
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 495 Earhart Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
- Location:
- School Type: Private School
- School Levels: Kindergarten
- Location: Multiple Locations
- School Type: Public School District
- School Levels: Young 5s, Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)
- Location: 1735 S. Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
- School Type: Public Charter School
- School Levels: Kindergarten, Elementary School (1-5), Middle School (6-8)
Ann Arbor K-12 Guide
Where you looking for a middle school or a high school? Check out our K-12 Guide.
The Discovery Center will be hosting their Young 5’s Open House on Wednesday, March 12th from 6-7 pm.