An adaptive curriculum:
our i-Ready curriculum adjusts to your child's own learning pace to build real mastery in reading and math.
Kindergarten · Franklin Academy
Small Steps, Big Futures: Welcome to Kindergarten
Choosing your child's first school is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and if you're feeling a little nervous, you're not alone. Kindergarten is the starting line of your child's whole educational journey, and at Franklin Academy, we treat that first step with all the care it deserves.
Free, full-day kindergarten
A warm, nurturing place to begin
Little learners do their best when they feel safe, seen, and encouraged, and that's exactly the kind of place our kindergarten is. Patient, caring teachers greet your child by name, in a joyful and secure space to explore, with instruction tailored to how your child learns best. We meet every child right where they are and gently help them grow in confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
Free, full-day kindergarten
Franklin Academy offers free, full-day kindergarten: a whole day to build the strong foundation your child will learn on for years to come, at no cost to your family. A full day gives your child the time to grow, make friends, and truly find their footing.
A strong start, built around your child
From the very first day, we meet your child right where they are and build the foundation they'll learn on for years to come. Here's how:
Small groups, individual attention:
instruction happens in small groups, so every child gets the individualized attention they need to thrive.
Hands-on learning:
a hands-on approach that develops practical skills and makes learning stick.
Growing the whole child:
social-emotional skill building helps your child learn to manage emotions and make responsible decisions.
Turns 5 by December 31
Almost 5? Ask about Kindergarten Early Entrance.
Is your child bright, curious, and ready for more, but just misses the kindergarten age cutoff? Franklin Academy offers Kindergarten Early Entrance for children who turn 5 by December 31 and show they're ready through a friendly readiness assessment. It's our way of making sure a child who's ready to soar doesn't have to wait a whole year.
How it works:
- 1Apply early and upload your documents so your child is all set to test. Apply here →
- 2Assessments are scheduled in the spring. We'll reach out to set a time.
- 3Your child meets one-on-one with a caring assessor in a calm, low-pressure setting.
- 4We'll share the results and a placement recommendation with you.
“Is my child ready?” Let's get ready together.
Every child grows at their own pace, and preparing for kindergarten is something you and your child can do side by side. This is a gentle guide, not a test. Look through the areas below, find the one you're wondering about, and see what readiness looks like along with simple ways to help at home.
Self-control
Ready looks like: keeps hands to self, shares and takes turns, plays well with others, and uses supplies like scissors, pencils, and blocks.
Build it at home: play turn-taking games, offer art time with scissors and blocks, and praise calm hands and sharing.
Self-awareness
Ready looks like: says their first and last name, writes their first name, says the letters in their name, and knows a caregiver's name.
Build it at home: practice their full name together, write their name and point out each letter, and sing name and letter songs.
Cooperating with grown-ups
Ready looks like: follows directions and asks for what they need.
Build it at home: give small chores with two-step directions, encourage them to ask for help with words, and praise good listening.
Doing things independently
Ready looks like: uses the restroom on their own, puts on and zips a coat, and tries tying shoes.
Build it at home: set morning and bedtime routines and let them do the steps, practice zipping and shoe-tying, and offer guidance with lots of praise.
Staying safe
Ready looks like: has their immunizations, looks both ways crossing the street, and knows not to talk to strangers.
Build it at home: practice their address and a caregiver's phone number, finish the physical, dental exam, and immunizations, remind them to look both ways, and talk about who to go to for help.
Adapted from Ready for Kindergarten Ohio, education.ohio.gov
Helping your child get ready for the Early Entrance assessment
The assessment is a gentle, one-on-one activity. No pressure, just a chance for your child to show what they know. Keep practice playful and short, and celebrate effort. Here's what your child will be asked to do, with easy ways to practice at home:
- Their name and age:say their first and last name and how old they are. At home: “What's your whole name? How old are you?”
- Letters:recognize and name letters, and copy a few simple letters with a pencil. At home: point out letters in books and signs; practice writing their name.
- Counting:count out loud toward 20 and tell how many are in a small group. At home: count stairs, snacks, and toys together.
- Numbers with objects:match a number to a group and find “how many.” At home: “Can you find the group with 7?”
- Shapes:name common shapes like circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond, heart, and star. At home: spot shapes around the house.
- Colors:name colors like red, yellow, blue, green, purple, black, brown, and orange. At home: name colors while getting dressed or coloring.
- Rhyming:tell whether two words rhyme, like cat and bat. At home: sing rhyming songs and read rhyming books.
- Position words:point to what's above, below, or next to something. At home: “Put the toy under the table, now on top!”
Keep it light and fun. A relaxed child shows their best.
Ready to see it for yourself?
The best way to feel confident is to visit. Come see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and picture your child here.