Starting Kindergarten at Brooklyn's Ascend Public Charter Schools

Get ready to start kindergarten! This is an exciting time for caregivers and children alike, but it can also cause anxiety around choosing the best school for your soon-to-be kindergartener. In order to help make your decisions less stressful and ensure you are asking the important questions as you search for a kindergarten, Ascend has put together this guide.

Ascend takes pride in a supportive, diverse learning environment with a rich curriculum and commitment to personal and academic excellence. And with a network of schools across Brooklyn, we’ve put down deep roots in communities throughout the borough. Using the wide-ranging experiences of many kindergarten students and families that have seen success at Ascend, plus our unique educational approach, we’ve come up with a list of important questions to consider as you look for the perfect fit.

Get Your Child Ready with Our Kindergarten Readiness Workbook!

As a parent, helping your child prepare for Kindergarten is an exciting step. Ascend Charter Schools is here to support you with our free Kindergarten Readiness workbook—a specially designed resource packed with fun and engaging activities that build the foundational skills every young learner needs.

Our workbook includes hands-on exercises that develop essential skills in:

Handwriting and Fine Motor Skills
Letter and Number Recognition
Counting and Early Math
Shape and Color Identification

Each page is crafted to encourage growth and confidence in your child as they get ready for the classroom, making learning joyful and accessible at home.

Get Your Free Copy Today! Simply click the button below to get started. Ascend will also send you valuable updates and tips to keep you informed and inspired as you guide your child’s educational journey!

Receive Free K Workbook

What’s Important for Your Child to Learn in Kindergarten?

Going to kindergarten is a foundational step in any child’s education, with opportunities to begin developing critical academic and social skills. Some of the key areas the kindergarten program you choose should have include:

Literacy and Language – Introduction to reading, writing, speaking and listening
Math Readiness – Understanding basic numbers, shapes and patterns
Social-Emotional Development – Learning to share, cooperate and navigate peer relationships
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking – Encouraging curiosity and exploration
Motor Skills Development – Activities that refine fine and gross motor abilities

How Do You Evaluate a Kindergarten?

Where should you start when assessing different kindergarten programs? Looking at the academic achievements of kindergarteners isn’t really an option. Word of mouth is valuable, but it can be hard to get input from more than a handful of people.

Instead, use these criteria to evaluate any kindergarten you consider sending your child to.

Learning Environment – If possible, observe the learning environment while children are at school and in class. Is the environment stimulating and supportive?
Teaching Approach – Speak to as many of the kindergarten teachers as possible to get a picture of their approach to teaching and classroom management.
Curriculum Alignment – First, check to make sure the curriculum being used meets the New York State standards. Second, consider the scope of the curriculum and ensure that it supports well-rounded development.
Parental Involvement – Ask how frequently parents are involved in school activities or invited to meet with teachers.
Class Size – Smaller class sizes will improve the teacher-student ratio and help make sure that every student can receive the attention and instruction they need.

What Makes Ascend a Good Kindergarten?

Ascend Public Charter Schools consistently produce excellent academic results and the foundation for similar future academic success can start being laid as early as kindergarten. However, Ascend is concerned with more than just academic achievement — social and emotional development are also vital for young children to grow into well-rounded, engaged and empathetic young adults.

Our teaching methods are innovative and forward-thinking while still meeting New York state standards — even for our youngest students. Some of the major components include:

Strong Foundation in Key Skills

Our lower schools prioritize early literacy, math comprehension, critical thinking and intellectual curiosity to ensure students develop a solid academic base.

Engaging Curriculum

With an extended school day, Ascend offers a broad, enriching curriculum that goes beyond core subjects, incorporating science, social studies, music, visual arts, physical education and dance to nurture well-rounded students.

Innovative Teaching Approach

Ascend stands out by blending traditional teacher-led instruction with dynamic, college-style discussions — even in the earliest grades — fostering an interactive and thoughtful learning environment. We also ensure there is a high teacher-to-student ratio so all students receive individualized attention.

Commitment to Excellence

Ascend instills a love of learning by developing students’ enthusiasm and drive for success from kindergarten onward.

Partnering With Families

Ascend works to develop a strong, interactive relationship with every family to nurture the school-home connection and provide direct, clear lines of communication between parents, teachers, administrators and students.

What Kindergarten Options Do Ascend Public Charter Schools Have?

If you’ve ever wondered “is there a high-quality kindergarten somewhere near me?” the answer is yes! Ascend has lower schools throughout Brooklyn, attended by students from kindergarten through fourth grade — more than likely, there’s one in your neighborhood!

The locations for our lower schools are:

Learn More and Apply Today

If you want to learn more about a specific Ascend kindergarten program before making a decision, get in touch with us today to schedule a tour or attend an open house! We look forward to meeting with you and answering any questions you may have.

Ready to enroll? You can apply online today! If you have questions during the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Email: enroll@ascendlearning.org
Phone: (347) 464-7600. Assistance is available in Spanish and Haitian Creole.

Common Questions about Kindergarten Enrollment in Brooklyn

It’s natural to have questions before enrolling your child in kindergarten, so we’ve answered some of the most common ones below:

Can a 4-year-old start kindergarten in New York?

It depends. If your child turns five by December 31st of the calendar year, then they would be eligible for kindergarten.

Is kindergarten mandatory in NY in 2024?

New York’s Education Law requires all children between the ages of six and 16 attend school. This can occur at a public or private school.

What is the difference between Pre-K and kindergarten?

Among other differences, Pre-K is more informal, emphasizing playtime and activities that help children develop socially, emotionally, and intellectually. It introduces basic concepts in areas like math and literacy in a relaxed way. Kindergarten is more structured, with a stronger focus on achieving educational goals. While play is still included, the primary aim is for children to complete specific lessons and develop skills such as basic math and reading.

What is the youngest age for kindergarten?

In New York City, your child can begin kindergarten the September of the calendar year they turn five.

Is my kindergartener ready for first grade?

Each child develops at their own pace, so readiness for first grade can vary. However, there are essential skills your child should have before moving on, such as basic reading and math skills, emotional and social maturity and the ability to follow directions. These abilities help ensure they are prepared for the more structured environment of first grade. Some of these include:

Adding and subtracting numbers up to 10
Counting the number of objects in a group
Grouping objects to break up numbers up to 10
Identifying people, places, and things in a picture
Answering questions about a passage or story their teacher reads
Writing and differentiating between upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet