Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Connections Preschool?
Connections Preschool is the District 196 half-day preschool program for 3- or 4-year olds that
combines programs formerly known as: Bridge to School, Community Education Preschool, Country
Garden Preschool, Preschool Discovery, Oak Ridge Preschool, Penguin Preschool, Greenleaf Preschool
and Westview Preschool.
Each class is taught by a licensed early childhood teacher and the curriculum is aligned with District
196’s K-12 learning standards. All parents of Connections Preschool students are offered parent
education opportunities at no additional cost. Families may qualify for financial assistance for feebased classes; some attendance areas offer classes at no cost for eligible families.
Classes are available at no cost for students who meet qualifications and live within in the Cedar Park,
Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Greenleaf, Oak Ridge, Southview or Westview elementary attendance areas.
Classes are also available at the Dakota Valley Learning Center and Thomas Lake Elementary for a fee.
Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
2. Can I still enroll after the application deadline?
Yes! Applications are always accepted and students will be placed as space is available.
3. Is Connections Preschool available at my attendance area school?
Everyone is encouraged to apply for the locations open to all district students at Dakota Valley
Learning Center and Thomas Lake Elementary.
If you would like to attend Cedar Park, Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Greenleaf, Oak Ridge, Southview or
Westview elementary schools you must live within the specific schools’ attendance area to apply. For
help determining your school and its attendance area, use the school attendance area locator on the
district website.
4. Can I apply for any Connections Preschool location? If you live within the attendance area of Cedar Park, Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Greenleaf, Oak Ridge,
Southview or Westview elementary schools, you are encouraged to apply for Connections Preschool
held at that location.
You are also encouraged to apply for any of the locations open to all district students (Early Childhood
Learning Center, Rahncliff Learning Center, Highland Elementary or Thomas Lake Elementary)
5. Can I apply for one of the Free Connections Preschool sites if I do not live in that
attendance area?
No. A site that offers free Connections Preschool is specifically for children living within one of those
attendance areas.
6. What if I didn’t get into my attendance area’s Connections Preschool?
You are welcome to apply for one of the district-wide Connections Preschool sites.
Please note that you will be responsible for transporting your child to and from preschool each day
and there may be a fee, based on your family’s income. For inquiries on available locations, please call
952.388.1960.
7. Why do some of the Connections Preschool sites offer the program for free and other
sites do not?
Designated funds were provided by specific schools for the use of implementing Connections
Preschool at no cost for students who meet the qualifications (see #10 for qualifications).
8. Why do some of the Connections Preschool sites offer transportation and other sites
do not?
The cost of transportation is supported by the designated funds of each site offering Connections
Preschool for free.
9. Why do some of the Connections Preschools sites offer classes five days/week, and
other sites offer three days/week? Funds provided by the specific sites offering free Connections Preschool are available to support the
cost of a 5 day/week program.
We want to provide opportunities for all children to have a preschool experience. A 3 day/week
program allows an option for families who prefer less days of preschool for their child.
10. Who qualifies for Free Connections Preschool?
1. Students must live in the attendance area of Cedar Park, Echo Park, Glacier Hills, Greenleaf,
Oak Ridge, Southview or Westview elementary schools. To determine whether you live in one
of these attendance areas, use the school attendance area locator on the district website.
2. Priority is given to students who would greatly benefit from a preschool experience prior to
entering Kindergarten. This may include children who qualify for free or reduced lunch, have
been referred from preschool screening, have not had a preschool experience or are learning
English.
11. Is Connections Preschool available to students who live beyond District 196
boundaries?
No, not at this time.