District 15 Kindergarten in Palatine: CCSD 15 Registration

Updated November 2026 from District 15 school websites. Dates change each year, so confirm details on ccsd15.net.

Most children in Palatine attend public kindergarten through Community Consolidated School District 15 (CCSD 15), a pre-K through 8th grade district that also serves Rolling Meadows and parts of nearby communities. Every elementary school offers full-day kindergarten, and families can also apply for a two-way Spanish dual language program.

A child must be 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten in Illinois. For the 2026-27 school year, District 15 registration ran from February 10 to July 15, 2026, and the first day of school was August 19, 2026. Expect a similar calendar for 2027-28, with dates posted by the district in winter.

What full-day kindergarten looks like

District 15 describes full-day kindergarten as more time for math and literacy, more time for free and purposeful play, and more time to build independence, friendships and trusting relationships with teachers. Its elementary day also includes daily wellness and connection time and recess.

Children work on reading, writing, math, science and social skills in line with the Illinois Learning Standards. See what kids learn in kindergarten in Illinois for the year in more detail.

Spanish dual language: how it works

Families of incoming kindergartners choose between regular full-day kindergarten at their home school and the Two-Way Spanish Dual Language program. Here is what the district shares about it:

• Where: the program is housed at Jane Addams, Winston Campus and Kimball Hill elementary schools. The district assigns the school, and families cannot choose which one.
• Who it is for: both children who speak mainly English at home and children who speak mainly Spanish.
• How much Spanish: in kindergarten, about 80% of instruction is in Spanish and 20% in English, and children learn to read in Spanish first. The balance moves toward 50/50 in later grades.
• How long: families commit through the end of 5th grade.
• If it is full: when applications outnumber seats, the district uses a random selection.

For 2026-27, information meetings ran from late January through late February, and the application deadline was March 15, 2026. If you are curious, watch for the district's meeting dates right after winter break. The district also runs a separate one-way Spanish dual language program for native Spanish speakers who qualify for language support, based on an English proficiency screening.

Registration timeline

1. Late January to February: dual language information meetings for families of incoming kindergartners.
2. February: online registration opens for the next school year. In 2026 it opened February 10.
3. Mid-March: dual language applications are due. In 2026 the deadline was March 15.
4. April: incoming kindergarten welcome nights at each elementary school, in English and Spanish, with a tour and a chance to meet the principal.
5. Summer: registration deadline. In 2026 it was July 15. Health exams and paperwork should be in before school starts.
6. Mid-August: the first day of school. In 2026 it was August 19.

Bring a birth certificate and proof of residency, and plan the required health exams early, since summer pediatrician appointments fill fast. Our kindergarten registration guide has the full checklist, and our health requirements guide covers physicals, vaccines, eye and dental exams.

Planning care around the school day

Even full-day kindergarten ends hours before most parents finish work, and the school calendar has days off that daycare does not, such as teacher institute days, conference days and winter and spring breaks. In 2026-27, for example, District 15 had no school on August 17 and 18 for teacher institute days and on November 23 to 25 around parent-teacher conferences, just before Thanksgiving.

Common options include park district before and after school programs, community programs and private care. Ask your school what is offered on site and how pickup works. See before and after school care for kindergarteners.

Getting your child ready

• Go to the April welcome night and walk the building together if you can.
• Visit the school playground over the summer so it feels familiar.
• Practice the morning routine a week before school starts.
• Read books about kindergarten together.
• Practice self-help skills: bathroom, zipping a jacket, opening lunch containers.
• If you choose dual language, read and sing in Spanish at home only if it feels natural. Teachers expect children to arrive knowing little or no Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

Is kindergarten full-day in District 15?

Yes. Every District 15 elementary school offers full-day kindergarten.

When does District 15 kindergarten registration open?

Usually in February. For 2026-27 it opened February 10, 2026 and closed July 15, 2026.

Can my child do dual language if we do not speak Spanish at home?

Yes. The two-way program is built for a mix of English-speaking and Spanish-speaking children who learn together.

Can I choose which school my child attends for dual language?

No. The program is at Jane Addams, Winston Campus and Kimball Hill, and the district makes the school assignment.

What towns does District 15 serve?

Palatine, Rolling Meadows and parts of nearby communities. Check the district's boundary map for your address.

Children's Land in Palatine

Our Palatine location at 1293 N. Rand Road is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with hot breakfast and lunch. Extras at this location include yoga, gymnastics and soccer, and our summer camp serves children through age 12. Our pre-K program prepares four and five-year-olds for kindergarten. Contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Things to Do With Kids in Palatine, IL.