You may have noticed that many schools in Arizona offer both full-day and half-day options for kindergarten.
That’s because in Arizona, full-day kindergarten is not a requirement. According to state law, schools must provide a half-day kindergarten option for families, but it’s up to each individual school district whether or not they offer a full-day option.
Even though full-day kindergarten is not mandatory in Arizona, many families end up gravitating towards schools with full-day options since it better aligns with their schedules and may provide additional academic benefits. On the other hand, families may prefer half-day kindergarten if they want to give their child a more gradual transition to traditional schooling.
BASIS Charter Schools—a network of highly ranked public charter schools located across Arizona—offer both full-day and half-day kindergarten options for families.
If your child will be starting kindergarten next year, now is a great time to look into different kindergarten programs near you. Let’s review some of the advantages of full-day kindergarten vs. half-day kindergarten.
Reasons to choose full-day kindergarten
- Strong academic foundation. Full-day kindergarten students often have an academic advantage compared to half-day kindergarten students. With more time spent in the classroom, students get an opportunity to further develop key skills.
- Wide range of subjects. A few extra hours of instruction time each day means that your child will have time to explore additional subjects. At BASIS Charter Schools, full-day kindergarteners have additional enrichment lessons in the afternoon, including Engineering, Mandarin, Music and more.
- Preparation for first grade. Full-day kindergarten prepares your child for the following year by getting them used to a full school day.
- Easier-to-manage schedule. If you work full time or have other children in school, you may find that full-day kindergarten aligns better with your schedule.
Reasons to choose half-day kindergarten
- Gradual transition to school. Half-day kindergarten may be a good fit for children who didn’t attend preschool, as it can ease them into the routine of attending school.
- More time for after-school activities. Half-day kindergarten gives your child more time for unstructured play with family and friends. You may also be able to attend community events and activities (library storytime, playgroups, etc) that would otherwise conflict with school.
- Tuition-free. In Arizona, half-day kindergarten is usually offered free of charge. Full-day kindergarten is more likely to be fee-based, since the state does not provide funding to cover full-day programs.
For more information about the differences between full-day kindergarten and half-day kindergarten, schedule a tour at your local BASIS Charter School. Our dedicated and knowledgeable staff will be happy to walk you through the details of our full-day and half-day programs, helping you find the best fit for your family.
Enroll your child in kindergarten at the nation’s #1 public school network
Discover accelerated academics in a positive and supportive learning environment. Kindergarten at BASIS Charter Schools sets the stage for long-term academic success. Our high schools are consistently ranked among the best in the country, with BASIS Peoria claiming the top spot as the #1 High School in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report.
With campuses located across the state, a top-ranked kindergarten program is within reach. Find a BASIS Charter School near you and schedule a tour for a firsthand look at our vibrant classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities.
BASIS Charter Schools are now accepting applications for the 2024–25 school year. Applications for the 2025–26 school year will open on October 23, 2024.
For the most up-to-date information, visit enrollBASIS.com
