Get Ready for Preschool & Kindergarten

The journey to an amazing educational experience for our littlest learners begins here! We are thrilled to invite you to explore the possibilities and opportunities that await your child in our preschool and kindergarten programs. At the Ames Community School District, we understand the importance of fostering a nurturing environment that sparks curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning from the very beginning. By filling out our interest forms, you are taking the first step towards providing your child with a foundation for a lifetime of educational success. Join us on this exciting adventure where amazing begins here!

Preschool

Northwood Preschool Center provides free preschool classes four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Ames CSD is currently taking names of preschool students who are intending to register for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year through our Preschool Information Request. Incoming Preschool students must be 4 years old on or before September 15. 

Registration does not officially open until spring. As a preschool family, you will receive additional information at the contact information you provide in the form.

Kindergarten

Know a child who will be 5 years old on or before September 15 who is eligible for kindergarten? The Ames CSD is currently taking names of students and their parents/guardians, who are interested in enrolling their children for kindergarten in our District via our Kindergarten Information Request. 

We assign kindergarten students to the school in the boundary area that corresponds to their home address. Students who enroll after classes are full in their grade level at their boundary school may be assigned to a different school. If your resident district is outside of Ames, open enrollment is required to attend in the district. 2025-2026 Open enrollment applications are available online.   

This is only an interest form and not signing your child up for kindergarten. Registration information will be sent to those stating their interest later this spring. 

Current Students

Online registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open for all students after spring break. You will receive additional information when that time comes through ParentSquare. 

To prepare for the registration verification process, here is what parents and guardians can do:

• If you do not have an active Infinite Campus Parent Portal account, request one through the Parent/Guardian Infinite Campus Request Form. If you are new to our District, you will not be able to request an account until registration opens. Infinite Campus is how parents get information about their student, make absence requests, and pay school fees/load lunch accounts. Each parent/guardian in the household must have their own Infinite Campus account. 
• Set up your account in ParentSquare. If you have not done so already, go to the ParentSquare login page and enter your email address in the Register box. 
• If you have moved within Ames and will still be attending Ames CSD, please contact the District Office to provide your new address and proof of residence. 

• Not attending Ames Schools for the 2025-2026 school year? Please complete our Moving Form.