Welcome to 4K!
We are excited to offer both half-day and full-day 4K options, with full-day spots filled on a first-come, first-served basis according to the following criteria:
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Priority Enrollment: Given to families living within the school’s specific attendance area.
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Completed Applications: Only fully finished registrations will be considered for placement.
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Waitlist: Once full-day sites reach capacity, a waitlist will be established.
Please ensure all documentation is ready at the time of registration to secure your child’s spot.
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How will parents be informed about the details of 4K?
Each year, we share information with the Wisconsin Rapids community about our programs, including how to enroll in 4K. We do this by handing out flyers around the city and sharing details in school and district newsletters, on the district’s Facebook page, on websites, and through public service announcements.
Is there an age cutoff for 4K?
Yes. Children must be at least 4-years-old on or before September 1. WRPS does not have a process in place for early entrance to 4K.
Who can attend full-day programming?
Families must live in the school's attendance area boundaries for which they are enrolling to attend full-day programming at that site. Headstart has its own selection process for full-day options.
Can my child still attend the full-day 4K program if our family moves out of that school’s attendance area after the school year begins?
Yes, your child may continue to attend the full-day program if you move out of the school’s attendance area, as long as you provide transportation.
Can my child still attend the full-day 4K program if our family moves out of that school’s attendance area before the beginning of the school year?
If you enroll for full-day 4K and move from that attendance area before the school year begins, your child will no longer be eligible to attend the full-day program at that particular school. You can contact the WRPS Enrollment Department at enrollment@wrps.net
If a child is age eligible for 5K, but parents plan to delay their kindergarten enrollment, can the child attend 4K?
WRPS believes students should move forward with children their own age. However, in some special situations, families may decide that enrolling in 4K is the best choice for their child.
When and where can families enroll?
For the 2026-27 school year, online enrollment opens at WRPS.org/enroll on February 2. However, families can enroll in 4K at any time, both during the school year and in the summer months.
Assistance is available at the Enrollment Center ( located at 311 Lincoln Street) from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Questions can be directed to the 4K secretary at 715.424.6779.
Please note: When a 4K program reaches capacity, a student may be assigned to a different site. There are a variety of criteria involved with 4K placement. Students who live in the school’s attendance area, have a sibling already attending the school, or have an identified disability with specific placement needs will receive priority for school placement over other students.
What do families need to provide to enroll?
While completing the registration, there will be a list of documents families will need to submit, as well as the list of documents WRPS accepts as verification (e.g.proof of residency, proof of child's date of birth, immunization records, and/or proof of identity and parent/guardian relationship).
When will families be notified of the child’s placement?
Parents will receive an email or ParentSquare message of their child’s placement Mid-April. For families applying after April, notifications will be sent within a month's timeframe.
How can parents make changes to online enrollment?
Parents who have not finished and electronically submitted the 4K application, can login and make changes. Once an application has been submitted, it cannot be changed; however, parents can contact the Enrollment Office to assist with change requests.
Do WRPS community site locations have to accept any family that wishes to enroll for 4K?
Acceptance at a site depends on available space and the enrollment requirements set by each individual 4K community site. However, community partners may not discriminate based upon sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.
Will families have a choice of where their child attends 4K?
Option 1: Based on the student’s primary address, the student will be placed in the WRPS school that serves that 4K attendance area. Transportation is provided between the student’s home and the school they attend.
Option 2: Families may choose a different pick-up and drop-off address than their primary address, such as a child care location. This address must be verified and located within the WRPS school district. Based on the pick-up address, the student will be placed at a WRPS site that serves that 4K attendance area, and transportation will be provided between that address and the school the student attends.
Please note: If a student attends a WRPS elementary school site for 4K that is not in their home attendance area, they are not guaranteed a 5K placement at the same school. 5K school placement is based on the home attendance area.
Does WRPS provide before/after school care?
WRPS does not provide before/after school care. Community partner sites that contract with WRPS for 4K may offer care outside of instructional hours. Please contact the site directly for more information.
Will transportation be provided for families?
Transportation is available for all WRPS resident students. Any resident student who needs transportation will be placed at a site where transportation is provided.
Can a family get transportation from 4K to a child care site?
Yes, as long as the center is within the WRPS transportation area. Based on the pick-up address, a student will be placed at the 4K site serving that attendance area.
No. The 4K program is tuition free
How will special needs students be served?
Students in 4K who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will receive services from a licensed special education teacher in their 4K classroom. In school-based programs, services will be provided similar to how K–5 students receive special education support, based on the student’s IEP. In community sites, itinerant special education teachers will provide services at the site for the number of hours listed in the IEP.
Will 4K be the only program option for families of students with an identified disability?
No. Families of students with an identified disability may have other options based on their child’s individual needs. Placement decisions are made by the IEP team and are designed to best support the student.
Enrollment in 4K is not required by the state of Wisconsin. A law took effect on October 21, 2009 (WI Act 41) requiring attendance for five-year-olds enrolled in kindergarten. 4K attendance is optional and is not affected by this law.
What are the days/hours of the program?
WRPS offers half-day and limited full-day 4K programming at our elementary school sites and community partner sites. In WRPS elementary schools, programming is offered Monday through Friday. Programming at Community sites varies by site. Click here for more information. In our community sites, each center can set the weekly days and times for the program, with WRPS approval, as long as the program meets the DPI minimum of 437 half-day hours per school year.
Please note: Exact hours for 4K programs in WRPS school sites may vary slightly from year to year based on the school year calendar.
What does Parent Involvement look like for 4K?
WRPS is committed to effectively partnering with families to support student achievement.Our 4K sites offer many opportunities for parents and caregivers to join their children in activities during the day and in the evening. Families can check each site’s calendar for details on these family events.
Can a student repeat WRPS 4K?
No, 4K is an optional program for families to attend one year. Families can choose whether they would like their child to begin 4K as a 4- or a 5-year-old, but must only attend in 4K one year and typically then progress to 5K.
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