Elevate 28 & the rising Kindergartners.

Big Changes for Kindergarteners at Laurel Lane, D.J. Montague & Norge Elementary in 2025–2026

Do you have a rising kindergartener who will be attending Laurel Lane, D.J. Montague, or Norge Elementary for the 2025–2026 school year? If so, there’s an important update you’ll want to know about.

On May 6th, the WJCC School Board announced a new kindergarten transition program, Elevate 28,  aimed at better supporting students as they step into a structured school environment for the very first time. The program is designed to ensure that every child is placed in the classroom that best fits their individual needs and learning style. This new program will be tested at the pilot schools Laurel Lane, D.J. Montague & Norge.

Why the Change?

The current system for gathering information about incoming kindergarteners hasn’t been as effective as hoped. It often fails to match students with the right teacher or environment, which has sometimes led to increased behavioral issues and teacher burnout.

This new model is a proactive approach. It focuses on understanding each child as an individual, allowing educators to create more balanced classrooms and ultimately, better support student success from day one.

What to Expect

Here’s how the new transition program will work:

• August 21 – Elementary Open House
• First 6 days of school – These will be full "Student Experience Days", where all kindergarteners will attend school as usual. During this time, teachers will observe student behavior, learning styles, social interactions, and more. Instruction will focus on foundational skills, routines, and early learning activities.
• September 5 & 6 – These will be student holidays (no school for kindergarteners). These two days are designated for staff to:
• Review student observations
• Collaborate with other educators
• Coordinate support services if needed
• Finalize classroom placements

One key change to be aware of: your child will not be assigned a permanent classroom teacher until after the planning days are complete. While that may feel different than in past years, the goal is to ensure that every student is placed in the learning environment where they’re most likely to thrive.

Where to Learn More

You can hear the full discussion from the May 6th WJCC School Board meeting by watching the recorded video. The conversation about the new kindergarten model begins at around the 51-minute mark and continues through 1 hour and 22 minutes.

📺 Watch the full meeting here



This innovative approach reflects a strong commitment to setting students up for success from the very beginning of their educational journey. Stay tuned for more updates as the school year approaches!