Early Childhood Education
Pre-Enrollment is OPEN for the 2024-2025 School Year
Our goal is to make your transition into Great Bend Schools a positive experience! We have friendly staff members at each building prepared to help our new students get settled comfortably into our schools. Students new to the district should pre-enroll as soon as possible by completing the brief, pre-enrollment form and returning to your child's future school building.
If you have questions about which elementary school your child will attend, please consult the boundary map, or call our District Education Center at 620-793-1500.
Age Requirements:
Preschool: 3 or 4 years old, on or before August 31
Kindergarten: 5 years of age on or before August 31
What you will need:
Proof of Address: Acceptable documents include a current utility bill (gas, water or electric) showing the student’s address, or a current rental or purchase agreement. If these documents are not available, an affidavit signed by the parent or the enrolling adult will be accepted.
Proof of Name and Age: Acceptable documents include birth certificate, baptismal certificate, family Bibles that dutifully record births and deaths, or other hospital documents or certificates. An affidavit filled out by the enrolling adult, attesting to the child’s name and age, will also be accepted.
Kansas Certification of Immunization: Kansas requires all children entering school for the first time in Kansas to provide their immunization records prior to admission to and attendance at a public school. A health assessment is now required for school entry for children through 8 years of age who have not previously enrolled in a Kansas school. View immunization requirements here.
Little Panthers Preschool
3 & 4-year-old Preschool
The mission of all USD 428 Early Childhood Programs is to provide our community with high-quality child development opportunities that establish a foundation for student growth and development, helping students become responsible citizens and lifelong learners.
Students learn best when they feel safe, loved, and secure. A high-quality preschool experience is proven to close achievement gaps and create a strong foundation for academic growth.
NEW in 2024-2025 School Year - Little Panthers Preschool will open in its NEW location at 1809 24th St. The consolidation of three preschool programs (Helping Hands PreK, Riley PreK, and LPP at its current location) will provide for collaboration with teachers, integrated classrooms, and more capacity to welcome up to 288, 3 & 4-year-olds to preschool each year.
Pre-Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school is now open. Preschool placement will be confirmed with families by June 1. Online Enrollment will open in July for parents/guardians to complete and the enrollment fee* will be paid at that time.
*Families can complete a free/reduced meal application at the time of online enrollment to qualify for free or reduced fees.
Kindergarten
2024-2025 KINDERGARTEN PRE-ENROLLMENT
Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment is now open!
Do you have a child that will be five years old on or before August 31, 2024? If so, please plan to attend the Pre-Enrollment Fair on Wednesday, April 10 from 1-6:30pm at the Great Bend Event Center.
Unsure of which school your child will attend this Fall?
The USD 428 Interactive Boundaries Map is a great tool to help determine each student’s assigned attendance center. Click here to see our elementary school boundaries. Each elementary building will also host an Open House as we get closer to the first day of school to help students and families get to know the building, procedures, and staff.
Online Enrollment (Open in July 2024)
After families have completed the Pre-Enrollment paperwork, student information will be entered into the USD 428 Skyward Student Information System. This allows families to enroll online in July and pay applicable enrollment fees at that time.
2024-2025 School Year Calendar
The school year calendar is available - Click Here.
Virtual Kindergarten Brochure.pdfKindergarten Spanish (1).pdf