Photo by Richard Hurd
Four- and Five-Year-Old Kindergarten Online Enrollment for 2026–27 School Year Now Open
MADISON, Wis.—The online enrollment portal for the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) 2026–27 four-year-old kindergarten (4K) and five-year-old kindergarten (5K) programs is now open. Families are encouraged to enroll early to assist with staffing and classroom planning ahead of the upcoming school year.
Families who need assistance can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with school staff on Monday, Feb. 23, between 2 and 6 p.m. They are also encouraged to:
- Call their school after Feb. 23 to schedule an appointment if they need to enroll or verify their students’ enrollment documents.
- Use the district’s Find Your School tool and schedule an appointment for an in-person or virtual meeting.
Children who will be four years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026, and who reside both within and outside of MMSD attendance boundaries are eligible to enroll. (Families residing outside of MMSD boundaries need to also apply for open enrollment.) Students currently participating in the district’s 4K program will automatically transition into 5K, while the 5K enrollment window is intended for families new to MMSD.
Why choose MMSD’s 4K program?
- Engaging, play-based learning experiences
- A strong foundation for kindergarten readiness
- Social, emotional and cognitive skill development
- Supportive educators who foster growth in every child
“Our 4K program is intentionally designed to meet children where they are developmentally while helping them grow in confidence and independence,” said Culleen Witthuhn, MMSD’s director of early learning. “Students strengthen early literacy and numeracy skills, but just as importantly, they learn how to collaborate, communicate and navigate a classroom community. Those early experiences create a strong foundation for long-term success in school.”
Students benefit from licensed staff and high quality early learning experiences that strengthen language development, cognitive and critical-thinking, alongside opportunities to practice teamwork, emotional awareness and problem-solving. Educators provide individualized attention to ensure each learner’s developmental needs are met.
The district has continued to broaden access to early learning programming in recent years, made possible through community-supported operational funding. Families can select from full- and half-day models, bilingual settings and dual-language immersion pathways. Transportation is available for eligible students in accordance with Board of Education policy.
For the 2026–27 school year, 4K will be available at MMSD elementary schools and community-based early care and education sites located throughout Madison and Fitchburg, offering families a range of options.
More information about MMSD’s 4K program and enrollment process is available on the district website.
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About the Madison Metropolitan School District
The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.