CUSD Kindergarten Choices

Enroll in the Best Kindergarten Programs at CUSD

The Chandler Unified School District is a premier district of choice. We are pleased to offer full-day kindergarten at no cost to parents.

The Chandler Unified School District is pleased to offer full-day kindergarten at no cost to parents for the 2026-27 school year. If you live outside of Chandler Unified School District, you must submit an Elementary Open Enrollment Application. Students who will turn 5 by August 31, 2026, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Kindergarten registration is now open! Find additional information below.

How Do I Begin The Enrollment Process?

The image shows three young students sitting at a desk in a classroom, engaged in what appears to be a learning activity. The classroom environment is visible in the background, with colorful displays and posters on the walls.

Did Your Child Turn 5 Years Old By Aug. 31, 2025?

Children who are 5 years old by August 31, 2025 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten programs without readiness testing. Visit the CUSD Enrollment & Registration page to begin the enrollment process.

Two young girls, one in a pink dress and the other in a pink shirt, are sitting on the floor of a colorful and vibrant classroom environment filled with educational materials and displays.

Did Your Child Turn 5 Years Old Between Sep. 1 - Dec. 31, 2025?

Children who turn 5 between September 1 and December 31, 2026 may participate in our Kindergarten Readiness Testing sessions to assess child readiness for early entrance into kindergarten.

CUSD Kindergarten Options

Full Day and Half Day

CUSD kindergarten classes meet for a full day. However, if a parent prefers a half-day program, the following options may be available:

If enough parents at a site request a half-day option, then the half day program will be offered at that site.
If a program is not offered at the home school site, the parent may transport the child to another site that offers a half-day program. District transportation is not available.
The child may attend at the home school site and leave at the half-day dismissal time. Other students in the room will be attending for the full day, but the class will be structured in such a way that the students receives the instruction required.

In the past we have not had significant requests nor enrollments to sturcture a half-day kindergarten program. If one becomes available, information will be posted on this page.

Neighborhood Schools

Chandler Traditional Academies

Chandler Unified School District has nine traditional academy programs. The CTA schools offer a solid foundation of fundamental and higher level thinking skills primarily through direct instruction. The Language Arts Curriculum utilizes the Spalding phonics program. They offer My Math as the math curriculum. Additionally, the math instruction is advanced by one grade level. All traditional academies also offer special area classes such as library, music, physical education and technology. The students are also given the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular clubs or activities either before or after school.

The CTA schools offer high quality learning experiences designed to build a solid academic foundation in literacy and mathematics for all students K—6.
CTA schools are committed to providing a safe, structured learning environment where expectations for academic success are high and pride is evident. The programs emphasize the development of respect for others and personal responsibility.

CTA students follow a uniform dress code that helps in maintaining an orderly environment, free from distractions. The children wear red, white or navy blue polo shirts, and khaki or navy pants, shorts or skirts. Shoes must adhere to the heel and flip-flops are not allowed.

Chandler Traditional Academies:
We request families register at only one CTA Traditional Academy. Please contact one of our five traditional academies regarding registration.

CTA Schools	Phone Numbers
CTA Freedom	480-224-2600
CTA Goodman	480-812-6900
CTA Humphrey	480-812-6800
CTA Independence	480-224-2700
CTA Liberty	480-883-4900
Auxier Elementary*	480-484-8400
Carlson Elementary*	480-224-3800
Patterson Elementary*	480-224-3600
Rice Elementary*	480-424-8500

*Traditional and Classic programming is available on the same campus

International Baccalaureate School

Gifted Programming

The following schools offer self-contained Gifted programming:

Knox Gifted Academy
Weinberg Gifted Academy

Your child will need to qualify for Gifted services and an Open Enrollment Application will also need to be completed for your child to be considered for one of the schools above.

For more information about our Gifted Program, please visit our Gifted Program Page

Dual Language Immersion

Chandler Unified School District is proud to offer dual language immersion (DLI) programs in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. These programs of choice are currently offered at four elementary schools. We implement a 50/50 research-based model in elementary schools, a 70/30 model in middle/junior high schools and a world languages continuation in high school. Students have the opportunity to start at an early age learning a new language while learning grade level content.

School with DLI	Language
Bologna Elementary School	Spanish
Chandler Traditional Academy (CTA) - Freedom	Spanish
Chandler Traditional Academy (CTA) - Liberty	Spanish
Tarwater Elementary School	Mandarin

Title I Schools (ESEA)

Title I is the largest federal aid program for public schools. This program provides additional funds for educating disadvantaged or underserved children. These funds are specifically designated to assist children in meeting the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.

Goal: Title I is the federal government's commitment to closing the achievement gap between low-income and moderate-to-high-income students. Chandler Unified School District's goal is to assist disadvantaged and underserved students to meet the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.

Each school within a district is designated as a Title I school if certain criteria are met. If criteria are met, then a Title I school is provided with additional funding. This funding can be used to:

Provide intervention reading and mathematics programs.
Provide before school, after school, or intersession programs.
Hire highly qualified certified staff, such as reading specialists or instructional coaches
Hire highly qualified support staff, such as paraprofessionals or parent liaisons.
Support family engagement by providing site parent liaisons and family resource centers.
Provide professional development for families, teachers, and support staff.
Purchase supplemental instructional supplies and materials.

Requirements

Title I schools are required to provide families with policy and program information. Schools inform families by:

Holding an annual meeting to explain Title I policy and programs.
Providing families with up-to-date academic information about their children in an easy to understand format.
Offering families a flexible number of meetings on Title I policy and programs.
Involving families in the decision making process on how family involvement dollars are spent.
Providing families with a compact entered by the school, the parent, and the child acknowledging responsibility for student success.

Chandler Title Schools

Andersen Elementary
Bologna Elementary
Conley Elementary
Frye Elementary
Galveston Elementary
Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary
San Marcos Elementary
Sanborn Elementary
Shumway Elementary
Andersen Jr. High
Willis Jr. High