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Kindergarten is an important milestone for lifelong learning. Kindergarten is a time to foster and grow a love of learning through exploration of new interests in the world, and by building knowledge and skills. At Robbinsdale Area Schools, we believe every student is unique, and we are committed to focusing on each individual student's potential for academic excellence.  
Our exceptional kindergarten teachers have a genuine love of learning and a commitment to the gifts of young learners. They help spark imagination, and inspire passion to ask questions, discover the world, create beauty and excel. 
 

When to enroll in Kindergarten

Children who reach their 5th birthday on or before September 1 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten for the school year immediately following their birthday. We offer tuition-free all day kindergarten at all elementary schools (half-day placements are available by request).

Family Guide

Our Early Childhood Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten Family Guide has lots of information about academic standards, school contact information registration timelines, early childhood resources and more.

Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter

Families, you are your child's most important teacher! Sign up to receive Early Childhood monthly newsletters, March-August 2020, that include parenting tips, learning games and activities, and updates about the start of school.

Newsletter sign up

Robbinsdale Area Schools offers three magnet elementary schools:

• FAIR School Pilgrim Lane - fine arts school
• Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School (RSI) - Spanish language immersion school
• School of Engineering and Arts (SEA) - science, technology, engineering, arts and math school

Kindergarten Magnet Enrollment Process

Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergarten student in a magnet school are required to complete and submit an application. Families who have an older student(s) currently enrolled at RSI, SEA or FAIR School Pilgrim Lane must also complete an application for their incoming kindergarten student; siblings of currently enrolled students, who meet the application deadline, will receive a seat through the sibling preference policy. 

If the school has more applicants than space available, new kindergarten students will be selected by lottery.

Kindergarten Magnet lottery application

Family Financial Determination Form

A certain number of seats are reserved for families who meet specific income guidelines. If you are unsure of
whether you qualify, we encourage you to submit the form.

Upcoming Dates

The online magnet school application will be available in early December 2020 for enrollment in the 2021-2022 school year. Information Nights and lottery dates will be posted as soon as they are determined.

More Information

• Policy 599 AP: Kindergarten Admission to RSIS, SEA, FAIR-PL

FAIR School Pilgrim Lane 
FAIR stands for Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Resource. FAIR Pilgrim Lane has a focus on arts, excellence and equity.  Students learn in an interdisciplinary and academically-challenging environment which promotes critical and creative thinking. The student experience at FAIR School Pilgrim Lane is enhanced by the school's unique partnerships with community organizations and local artists, including STAGES Theater, providing opportunities for in-depth experiences with a multitude of artistic mediums. Kindergarten enrollment is 88 students. After FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, students move to to FAIR School Crystal for grades 5-8.

Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School (RSI)
Students at Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School (RSI) learn Spanish through immersion. Because of the program’s structure, students must begin at RSI in kindergarten or test to demonstrate proficiency at another grade level if there is an opening. All classroom instruction is conducted in Spanish, including Kindergarten. Students learn to read, write and speak in Spanish, and begin to understand Spanish-speaking cultures. Kindergarten enrollment at RSI is 132 students. After RSI, students move on to the middle school immersion program at Plymouth Middle School.

School of Engineering and Arts (SEA)
The School of Engineering and Arts (SEA) is designed for students who enjoy investigating the world around them, using creativity to solve problems and find solutions to challenges. Teachers use inquiry-based instruction to deliver excellent standards-based curriculum for a well-rounded education, grounded in discovery and hands-on learning. A focus on engineering and the arts allows students to understand the design process as it presents itself in all core subject areas, and to learn new ways to communicate their findings. The combination of an excellent STEM education combined with a rich arts education (STEAM) will help students develop into innovative leaders essential to a global society. Kindergarten enrollment at SEA is 66 students.

Walking Boundary Maps for Magnet Schools

• FAIR School Pilgrim Lane
• Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School
• School of Engineering and Arts

What grade level is the lottery for?
The lottery is only for students enrolling in kindergarten for the first time. Admission/transfer to other grade levels, including FAIR Crystal, is processed via Enrollment Options.

How many kindergarten spots are available?
There are 88 seats at FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, 132 spots at RSI and 66 spots at SEA for incoming kindergarten students. 

Can I apply to FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, RSI and SEA? Will applying to multiple schools affect my chances in the lottery?
Yes, you can apply to all magnet schools. You will have equal opportunity in the lottery.

Can I apply to the magnet schools and my attendance area school?
Yes. It is recommended families also apply to their attendance area school, as a limited number of spaces are available at our magnet schools.

Can I apply to the lottery if I do not live in the Robbinsdale School District?
Yes. A percentage of seats are reserved for non-resident applicants.

What if I have twins/triplets/other multiples applying?
You can enter information for multiple students on one application form. According to Administrative Procedure 599AP, “in the event that siblings from the same grade apply, only one name shall be entered into the lottery and if selected, each of those students shall be admitted.”

If my child’s older sibling is currently enrolled at FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, RSI or SEA, or in the middle school Spanish Immersion (PMS) or FAIR School Crystal, do I need to fill out an application?
Yes. You must submit an application before the application deadline in order for your child to be eligible for automatic enrollment.

Is transportation provided?
Free transportation is provided to residents of Robbinsdale Area Schools. North Minneapolis residents may also qualify for transportation. (Call 763-504-8080 for more information concerning eligibility.) Please keep in mind bus routes to the magnet schools may be longer than to other schools. Bus stop information is mailed to all district residents in late August.

When do I find out the lottery results?
Lottery results are typically available beginning in early March. Families who complete the online application will be notified of their admission status via email and will be able to view their results by visiting magnetlottery.rdale.org. Log-in using the email address and the password that was generated during the application process. Lottery results will be mailed to families who completed paper applications, also beginning in early March. The lottery will be run weekly until all seats are accepted and as needed when kindergarten seats become available throughout the school year.

How can my older child enroll at RSIS, FAIR, or SEA?

• RSI, grades 1-5: Robbinsdale students in grades 1-5 can submit a school transfer form for possible admission. Prospective students residing outside the district can submit an open enrollment form for possible admission. According to Administrative Procedure 509AP, Enrollment Options, new students requesting entrance to RSI must have prior language immersion experience or demonstrate grade level language competency. Typically, new students are able to demonstrate grade level language competency if they are transferring from another immersion school, have a native Spanish speaker in the family or have an extensive Spanish background.
• SEA, grades 1-5: Robbinsdale students in grades 1-5 can submit a school transfer form for possible admission. Prospective students residing outside the district can submit an open enrollment form for possible admission.
• FAIR School Pilgrim Lane, grades 1-4: Robbinsdale students in grades 1-4 can submit a school transfer form for possible admission. Prospective students residing outside the district can submit an open enrollment form for possible admission.

Do I need to reapply each year?
No. Once enrolled, students may remain at the magnet school as long as their enrollment continues uninterrupted.

How do I know that my application and Family Financial Determination form have been received?
We will send email confirmation regarding receipt of both the application and Family Financial Determination form to all online applicants. Families who submit paper applications will receive confirmation via U.S. mail. If you do not receive an email or written confirmation stating that your application and/or Family Financial Determination form have been received, it is your responsibility to contact us at magnetapplication@rdale.org or by calling 763-504-8034. Applications and Family Financial Determination forms received electronically or postmarked after the magnet lottery deadline will not be accepted.

How can I find out more about FAIR, RSI and/or SEA?
Visit their websites: rsi.rdale.org, fair.rdale.org, and sea.rdale.org. You may also contact the school secretaries at 763-504-8400 (FAIR-PL), 763-504-4400 (RSI) or 763-504-7200 (SEA) to schedule a tour. 

A school transfer form is required when:

• a resident student wishes to attend a school other than their attendance area school
• a non-resident student who has been accepted for open-enrollment and wish to attend a different Robbinsdale Area School

School Transfer requests are subject to space availability, date the School Transfer Form is received and priority order. Sibling enrollments, daycare arrangements and circumstances unique to an individual student are considered, but do not guarantee approval of the transfer request.

Return completed forms via:

• Fax: 763-504-8081
• Email: enrollment@rdale.org
• Drop-off/mail: Enrollment Center, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N., New Hope, MN 55427
   

Transfer approval notification

Once a school transfer request is approved, families are not required to re-apply each year as long as the student remains in the approved school. Families need to re-apply for school transfer when students transition to a new level (e.g., elementary to middle, middle to high school) otherwise students will automatically be enrolled in their attendance area school.

Families approved for school transfer will be notified by mail to their home address.  Families must contact the enrollment center (763-504-7968) to confirm their transfer request.  Transfers are approved on a revolving basis.  

Bus Transportation

Families of students approved for school transfers will need to provide their own transportation to and from any non-magnet school outside of their attendance area. 

Additional information

For more information, please see Policy 509 - Enrollment Options.

Open enrollment is a legal right in the state of Minnesota. An open enrollment application is necessary when:

• a non-resident student living outside the district is interested in enrolling in Robbinsdale Area Schools.

Open enrollment requests are approved based on space availability, in the order they are received and on a priority basis. (The Open Enrollment January 15 deadline is not applicable in our district.)

Families interested in open enrollment should complete a Statewide Enrollment Options Form.  Hard copies are available for pick up at the Enrollment Center.

Return completed forms via:

• Fax: 763-504-8081
• Email: enrollment@rdale.org
• Drop-off/mail: Enrollment Center, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N., New Hope, MN 55427
   

Open enrollment notification

Once an open enrollment request is approved, families are not required to re-apply each year as long as the student remains continuously enrolled in the district. The district reserves the right to assign the student to a particular building during the transition from 5th to 6th grade and from 8th to 9th grade, as well as when school boundary changes become necessary.

Families approved for open enrollment will be notified by mail to their home address.  Families must contact the enrollment center (763-504-8080) to confirm their acceptance and complete registration by date indicated on letter.  Open Enrollments are approved on a revolving basis.  

Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is generally not provided for students who enroll through the state open enrollment option. For more information, please contact our Enrollment Center (763-504-8080).

Additional information

For more information, please see Policy 509 - Enrollment Options.