District 64 Kindergarten Registration: Park Ridge Guide

Updated November 2026 from d64.org. Dates, fees and schedules change each year, so confirm details with the district.

Most children in Park Ridge and part of Niles attend public kindergarten through Park Ridge-Niles School District 64. The district has offered full-day kindergarten at its five elementary schools since fall 2022, and a morning half-day option is still available. The biggest recent change: starting with the 2026-27 school year, District 64 no longer charges tuition for full-day kindergarten.

A child must be 5 on or before September 1 to start kindergarten. Here is what Park Ridge families should know.

Schools and boundaries

District 64 has five K-5 elementary schools in Park Ridge: Carpenter, Field, Franklin, Roosevelt and Washington. Students go on to Emerson or Lincoln Middle School. The district's early childhood center is Jefferson School in Niles, which runs a half-day preschool program for children 3 to 5 who live in the district.

Your home address decides your elementary school. Check the district's school boundary lookup before you plan child care around a specific building.

Full-day or half-day

All children eligible for kindergarten can enroll in the full-day program. Families who prefer a shorter day can ask their school principal about the half-day program, which runs in the morning only.

• Full-day hours: 8:50 AM to 3:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8:50 AM to 2:40 PM on Wednesday.
• Half-day hours: in recent years, 8:50 to 11:35 AM, and 8:50 to 11:05 AM on Wednesday.

The district describes full-day kindergarten as a less hurried day with more time for learning across the curriculum. Each elementary school got a new kindergarten addition when the program started.

What it costs

Full-day kindergarten used to cost families tuition, about $3,200 a year. For 2026-27, the district says it no longer charges that tuition. Families still pay the regular registration fee that every student pays:

• Full-day kindergarten: $227 if paid before the March 13 deadline, $277 after
• Half-day kindergarten: $114 before the deadline, $164 after

Fee waivers based on income are available, and the business office can set up a payment plan. Optional extras such as Chromebook maintenance have separate small fees.

How registration works

1. Watch for the announcement in winter. Registration for the next school year usually opens early in the calendar year, with an early fee deadline in mid-March.
2. Register online through the district's new student enrollment system. Your registration is final only after district staff review it and send a confirmation email.
3. Upload documents: birth certificate and proof of residency in the district.
4. Attend kindergarten parent orientation. Each school holds one in spring. In 2026 they ran April 14 to 29, depending on the school. Families hear about the school day, the skills children will learn, how to help with the transition, and how to sign up for kindergarten screening.
5. Turn in health forms by the state deadline: physical exam, immunizations, eye exam and a dental exam. See Illinois kindergarten health requirements.

Our kindergarten registration guide has a full document checklist.

Before and after school care

District 64 says Beyond the Bell, a before and after school program, is offered through the Park Ridge Park District. With school ending at 3:30 PM, and at 2:40 PM on Wednesdays, most working families need some afternoon care. Spots can be limited, so sign up as soon as registration opens. See before and after school care for kindergarteners for other options.

A sample timeline for next fall

• Fall and winter: confirm your school boundary, talk with your child's preschool about readiness, and book the kindergarten physical.
• Winter: register when the district opens enrollment, and pay the registration fee before the mid-March deadline to get the lower rate.
• Spring: attend your school's orientation, sign up for screening, and book eye and dental visits.
• Summer: visit the school playground, practice the morning routine and read books about kindergarten.
• Late August: the first day of school. Kindergartners sometimes start with an orientation schedule before their first full day.

Getting ready at home

• Practice opening lunch containers and zipping a jacket.
• Read together every day.
• Move bedtime earlier in August so mornings are calmer.
• Talk about the school day: what will be the same as preschool and what will be new.

See what kids learn in kindergarten in Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

Is District 64 full-day kindergarten free?

Starting in 2026-27, District 64 no longer charges tuition for full-day kindergarten. Families pay the standard registration fee, with waivers for those who qualify.

Does District 64 still offer half-day kindergarten?

Yes, a morning half-day program is available. Contact your school principal if you are interested.

When does District 64 kindergarten registration open?

Usually early in the calendar year, with a lower fee if you pay before the mid-March deadline. Check d64.org for this year's dates.

Is there before and after school care in Park Ridge?

Yes. Beyond the Bell is offered through the Park Ridge Park District.

Children's Land in Park Ridge

Our Park Ridge location at 400 Higgins Road is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with hot breakfast and lunch. Our pre-K program prepares four and five-year-olds for kindergarten, and Children's Land also offers a private kindergarten program. Ask the location which programs are available there, or contact us.

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