Every child develops at their own pace, and Lansing USD 469 is excited to introduce a new program designed to ensure our youngest learners begin their educational journey with confidence and the skills they need to succeed.
KinderBoost is a new early learning initiative that provides an intentional readiness year for a small number of kindergarten-age students who would benefit from additional time to strengthen foundational skills before entering a traditional kindergarten classroom.
Rather than waiting until students begin to struggle or considering retention later in elementary school, KinderBoost offers proactive support at the very beginning of a child's educational journey.
A Strong Start Makes a Lasting Difference
Research consistently shows that the early years are critical for long-term academic and social success. KinderBoost was developed to give students the opportunity to build essential skills in a supportive, developmentally appropriate environment before beginning the formal K-12 progression.
The program focuses on developing:
Early literacy and numeracy foundations
Speech and language development
Social-emotional growth
School routines and behavioral readiness
Executive functioning and self-regulation skills
By strengthening these foundational skills early, students are better prepared to transition into kindergarten with confidence.
How KinderBoost Works
KinderBoost serves students who are kindergarten age but would benefit from an additional year of intentional readiness before entering kindergarten.
Students attend a five-hour school day (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) at Lansing Elementary School as part of the district's Early Childhood programming. The daily schedule mirrors many aspects of a traditional kindergarten classroom while allowing additional time for individualized instruction, social development, and foundational skill-building.
After successfully completing the KinderBoost program, students transition into kindergarten the following school year.
A Proactive Approach to Student Success
KinderBoost is designed to support students who may still be developing skills such as:
Early literacy and language development
Number sense and foundational math skills
Self-regulation and executive functioning
Communication skills
Overall school readiness
By addressing these areas before students enter kindergarten, the district aims to reduce the need for later interventions while increasing student confidence and long-term academic success.
Supporting the Whole Child
KinderBoost reflects Lansing USD 469's continued commitment to its Whole Child Approach to Learning by recognizing that school readiness extends beyond academics.
Through intentional instruction, caring educators, and individualized support, KinderBoost helps students develop the confidence, independence, and foundational skills they need to thrive, not only in kindergarten, but throughout their educational journey.
Learn More
Families interested in learning more about KinderBoost are encouraged to review the program overview below. Additional information regarding eligibility, enrollment, and the referral process will be shared as the program continues to develop.