As expectations of new Illinois standards increase, the reform for teaching and learning the kindergarten curriculum has shown that advanced rigor is needed.
- Kindergarten Common Core language standards can be accessed here.
- Common Core mathematics standards can be accessed here.
Offering an extension of kindergarten that would provide academic and social assistance that supports and extends learning concepts and enrich social developmental practices was a critical topic during a Strategic Planning session. While many local Districts offered a full-day option, the districts surrounding Libertyville were viewed as those with one-school systems (K-8th grade housed on one district site) or grade-based centers (schools of K-2nd grade configuration) that allowed for easy placement of additional personnel, staffing, and classroom allocations. Creating a program that offered full-day kindergarten at all four school sites in District 70 was viewed as both complicated and in-depth. In working to sustain public interest in maintaining a neighborhood school concept, a commitment was made to further gather information, research program design, and build a well-designed program that works in the best interest of all children. As such, a proposal was approved by the Board of Education to establish a full-day kindergarten option for all students at the onset of the 2015-2016 school year.
By law, a public school district that offers full-day kindergarten also must offer half-day kindergarten.