Admissions
Admissions Process 2024-25
*Before enrolling, click here for age eligibility guidelines for your student: YCS Kindergarten Age Eligibility Guidelines
YIES Enrollment Priorities
YIES Admissions Process - (PDF)
Kindergarten-5th Enrollment Priority
Sibling Priority-Scholars whose siblings are currently enrolled at YIES, and have a confirmed placement for the requested school year, pending space availability.
YCS Employee Priority-Scholars whose legal guardian is currently employed by Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
Resident Priority-Scholars who live within the boundaries of Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
School of Choice (SOC)- Scholars who live outside of the boundaries of Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
Lottery for K-1st
View the recording of the 2024-2025 Lottery
There will be a lottery for Kindergarten and 1st Grade for the 2024-25 academic year at YIES. The lottery will be held on June 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM. This lottery will be conducted via a livestream and is necessary when the number of applicants exceeds the available slots for a particular grade level.
Following the lottery, a recording will be made available for viewing by our technology department and posted on our school website. The lottery on June 7, 2024, includes all families who submitted an application on or before June 1, 2024, which was the early notification deadline.
Important Dates:
June 28, 2024: All families (K-5th grade) will receive a formal email notification of their enrollment status to YIES.
August 16, 2024: The YIES admissions application period remains open until this date, and we will continue to process applications until then.
Registration for YIES will be completed during the summer months (July-August). Accepted applicants will receive detailed information on how to register their student in their acceptance email. A link to the live lottery stream will be shared with you at least one day before the event.
Thank you for choosing YIES. We look forward to welcoming your child to our community.
June 2024
June 1st
Deadline to submit a K-5 application for early notification is June 1, 2024.
Deadline to submit a YIES sibling application for priority placement, June 1, 2024.
June 7th
Lottery (if necessary) for all slots available.
A live streamed lottery will be held. A link to view the live streaming will be posted closer to the date.
June 28
Accepted and waitlist communications emailed to parent/guardian.
*If slots remain, the enrollment application will remain open until August 16, 2024.
August 2024
August 15th
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for registered incoming kindergarten students. This assessment is in-person and by appointment only. Staff will contact accepted applicants to schedule.
August 16th
Application for 2024-25 admission closes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What type of school is YIES?
We are a public, non-tuition, K-5 International Baccalaureate(IB) authorized school offering a whole child emphasis, exceptional academic standards, mission-centered curriculum and 21st-century skill-based assessments. All YIES courses are designed to meet the Primary Years Programme (PYP) International Baccalaureate standards.
- Free K-5 public school
- K through 5th Grade International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Option, and priority enrollment to WIMA, a public consortium, International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle School.
- Spanish classes for all grades
- Unified Arts for all grade levels: Music, P.E., Art, Spanish, Science
- Kids Clubs: Student Council, Legos Club, Girl Scouts, YMCA, EMU Bright Futures, and more!
- YMCA-Ann Arbor Before and After School program on site
- A full range of Special Education Services in the least restrictive environment
- Family and Community Environment
- Caring, Dedicated, and Highly Qualified Staff
2. Can students entering K-5th grade apply to YIES?
Yes, but space is limited and based on returning enrollment.
3. What if we do not have access to a computer or the internet, in order to complete the application?
If you do not have internet access, or need assistance completing the admissions application, call the main office at 734-221-2401. Leave a detailed message, including your name and contact number, and a YIES staff will return your call to support you with the application process.
4. Does YIES offer sports?
YIES students are able to play sports through Ypsilanti Community Schools. Please visit http://ypsigrizzlies.com/, for more information.
5. Does YIES offer any extra curricular activities?
YIES currently offers a variety of before and after school programs:
- Kids Clubs: Student Council, Legos Club, Girl Scouts, YMCA, EMU Bright Futures, and more!
- YMCA-Ann Arbor Before and After School program on site (program availability is based on staffing and application demand).
6. What languages does YIES offer?
Spanish is the only world language currently offered at YIES.
Enrollment Priority
- Sibling Priority-Scholars whose siblings are currently enrolled at YIES, and has a confirmed placement for the requested school year, pending space availability.
- Resident Priority-Scholars who live within the boundaries of Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
- YCS Employee Priority-Scholars whose legal guardian is currently employed by Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
- School of Choice (SOC)- Scholars who live outside of the boundaries of Ypsilanti Community Schools (a lottery will be held if necessary).
Lottery Process: If there are more applications submitted than enrollment slots available, a lottery will be processed for that grade level. Carefully read the YIES Admissions Process for important dates and events regarding the 22-23 enrollment and admissions process.
YCS Preschool and Kindergarten Age Eligibility Guidelines 2024-2025
YCS Preschool and Kindergarten Age Eligibility Guidelines
2024-2025 School Year
Welcome to Ypsilanti Community Schools Preschool and Kindergarten Programs. We look forward to getting to know you and your family. The information below will assist you in the registration process.
Preschool
Eligibility: Age 3 by December 1st, 2024
· DOB Eligibility: 12/1/2020 through 11/30/2021
Eligibility: Age 4 by December 1st, 2024
· DOB Eligibility: 12/1/2019 through 11/30/2020
Link to Preschool Interest Form
Our preschool program focuses on the social, emotional and academic needs of the Three and Four-year-old child. Our teaching staff provides developmentally appropriate activities in Math, Science, Reading and Writing. Your child will learn Kindergarten Readiness skills and help build a solid foundation for success in his/her educational journey.
Young Fives
Young Fives is a two-year program designed for children turning 5 years old between June 1 and December 1st.
· DOB Eligibility: 6/1/2019 through 12/1/2019
The program provides a strong foundation for future success in all areas of learning. Children are taught with hands-on materials, songs, and games. They are assessed by observation and work samples. Upon completion of the two-year program, children enter first grade.
Students who turn 5 after August 31st should enroll in the preschool program.
Kindergarten
Eligibility: According to Michigan Compiled Law under MCL 380.1147 and 388.1606 enrollment age for incoming kindergarten students are as follows:
· Students must turn 5 by September 1, 2024.
· DOB Eligibility: 12/1/2018 through 9/1/2019
Exceptions Provided for Kindergarten Enrollment Age
If a child is not 5 years of age by September 1st, but will be 5 not later than December 1st. Kindergarten Waiver Request form must be submitted prior to beginning school.
A school district that receives this written notification may make a recommendation to the parent or legal guardian that the child is not ready to enroll in kindergarten due to the child's age or other factors. The school will work with the parent/guardian to make the best placement decision for your child.
