For Families of New Students

River Valleys Unified School district offers two Pre Kindergarten programs: Group 3 and Group 5. The names of the programs signify the number of days students in each group will attend school, however admission to the program is based upon the students age prior to September 1st of the initial year of the academic calendar. For example, to enroll in the Group 3 program in the 2025-26 academic year a student needs to turn 3 prior to September 1, 2025; for enrollment in the Group 5 program a student would need to turn 4 prior to September 1, 2025.

Group 3 meets for school on a set schedule, equaling 10 hours each week. Group 5 children meet for full days Monday-Thursday and half days on Fridays.

Four-year-old children residing outside of Dover or Wardsboro may also attend our program under VT's Universal Pre K program for the offered 10 hours, as space allows.

Please note that Pre K children are not eligible to ride the bus and will need to be dropped off and picked up as well as signed in and out of school each day by a parent or other adult.

You can help your child transition to the school environment successfully and teach them to:

• Walk safely in and out of school from the drop-off line independently or with a school adult. 

• Wash hands independently. 

• Take care of toileting needs with little assistance (3 year olds) & Independently complete toileting tasks (4 year olds). 

• Dress and manage clothing and school-safe footwear that they can put on and fasten independently. 

• Sit at the table and feed themselves with utensils independently. 

• Wear a labeled bag to carry things between home and school (please ensure it is the right size for your child to carry). 

• Demonstrate increased self-control over impulses and safety awareness.