4K OPEN HOUSE: Thursday, February 16th from 5:30-7:00 pm
Parents can visit ALL of the 4K sites and meet the teachers: Columbus Elementary, Columbus Preschool, Red Bud, and St. Jerome's. 

Questions?  Please contact Karin Westlake at (920)623-5950 ext. 1155, email: KWestlake@columbus.k12.wi.us

4k Virtual Orientation Presentation

4K Round-Up (the initial sign up) will open on February 20th at 8:00 am. Please fill out this initial sign up form for 2023-2024 4K.

All 4-year-old children in the Columbus School District are entitled to a preschool education in one of our 4K programs.  All of our 4K sites are play-based programs that recognize and meet the unique needs of each child in a developmentally appropriate, warm, nurturing environment.  The School District partners with several community-based sites to provide parents options depending on each family’s needs. 

Who can participate? Any child who is 4 years old on or before September 1^st. If a family resides outside of the Columbus School District, they may enroll their child in the Columbus School District 4K through the Open Enrollment Process if their home district offers a DPI approved 4K program. Dates for Open Enrollment are February 6, 2023- April 28, 2023. Here is the link for online Open Enrollment.

What is the cost to families? There is no tuition cost.  Families who require additional child care services may wish to enroll in wrap-around care at the child care sites that offer it.  This would be a cost outside of the 4K program.  A school fee for all 4K students is charged in the fall and can be paid online when registering or to the school with checks made out to the Columbus School District.

Where are the 4K sites and what times?

Columbus Elementary School - 200 Fuller Street, Columbus, WI.  Morning program 7:50-11:05 M-Th and Afternoon 12:00-3:15 Mon-Thurs. 

Columbus Preschool - 213 Farnham St., Columbus, WI.   Afternoon Program 11:45-3:00 M-Th

Red Bud Day Care - 144 N. Spring St, Columbus, WI.  Morning Program 8:00-11:15 and Afternoon 11:50-3:05

St. Jerome’s - 1550 Farnham St. Columbus, WI.  Morning Program 8:10-11:16. Wrap around care available.  M-Th (Friday optional).

When are parents notified of what site their student has been placed in? Notifications of 4K placement will be sent to parents/guardians during the month of June.

Why are district 4K programs in Day Cares and Preschools? This is a common model in School Districts across the State of Wisconsin.  It is called Community Approaches.  It offers parents a choice of settings for their children.  Some parents might need wrap around day care services for their children.  This allows fewer transitions from one site to another.

Will transportation be provided? Transportation will be provided following the current Columbus School District Guidelines and bussing areas. Discuss with your daycare provider about transportation opportunities.

When do I register my child for 4K? All enrollment and registration is done through the Columbus School District.   A 4K Round-up for the upcoming school year is held in February/March.  Parents will be notified on the school website, District Facebook page and through the local paper when 4K Round-Up will begin. We suggest parents view an informational video and receive the initial sign-up form to choose the site that best fits their needs.  All families in 4K-12th grade will formally register their children online through the school district in July every year.