On a recent afternoon at Manzanita Elementary, 42 prospective kindergarten families gathered to learn what makes a Catalina Foothills education special, starting with the foundation built in kindergarten. Principal Rob Henikman welcomed families to "Kindergarten Show and Tell," an annual tradition across CFSD elementary schools designed to introduce future five-year-olds and their parents to the programs, philosophy, and day-to-day experience that awaits them."This is a special group," Mr. Henikman told families. "Having parents connect is not just an important goal for kindergarten, but it's actually crucial for us as a school."

Meeting Students Where They Are
Mr. Henikman emphasized CFSD's commitment to differentiated instruction from day one. "We're always going to meet kids where they are," he explained. "There's no such thing as seven-year-old math. If they need a higher level, we're going to give them that higher level. If they need more scaffolding and support, we're going to give them those scaffolds and support."
This philosophy—captured in what Mr. Henikman calls "Student 3.0"—recognizes that today's kindergarteners are active learners who need frequent movement, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to reach their own conclusions through inquiry-based teaching.
"They learn by doing," Henikman noted. "Don't just tell them, have them see it, smell it, experience it, touch it."

A Well-Rounded Experience
The presentation highlighted the breadth of opportunities available to kindergarteners at CFSD schools:

• Daily specials classes (PE, art, music, and Spanish)
• K-5 robotics program with hands-on coding
• Miler's Club for fitness
• After-school enrichment classes
• Field trips and community projects
• Access to the library weekly

"We are not a niche district. We're not a niche school," Henikman emphasized. "We believe that we can provide a lot of different opportunities for our kids that will spark something that could possibly last a lifetime. And that is our job. That's what well-rounded means."

Full-Day and Half-Day Options
Travis Kolter, Director of Community Schools, walked families through their options: traditional half-day kindergarten (ending at 11:00 AM) or the full-day Kindergarten Plus program that extends learning through the afternoon.
"If you were to ask students when they're doing Kindergarten Plus activities, they won't even know what you're talking about," Mr. Kolter noted. "They're just going to school. The transition from morning to afternoon is very seamless for them."
Mr. Kolter emphasized the importance of early registration, particularly for families interested in the full-day program. "If you know you want full-day kindergarten, don't wait," he urged. "By the time we get to May, we've already begun issuing teacher contracts. The earlier we know, the more able we are to accommodate your desire to be in that full-day program."
He also highlighted a valuable financial benefit: because Kindergarten Plus qualifies as a fee-based extracurricular program, families can use Arizona income tax credits to offset tuition costs—potentially covering the entire year through their own tax credits and contributions from friends or family members.

A Day in the Life
Families watched a video showcasing a typical kindergarten day, from the soft start on the playground through specials classes, math and literacy instruction, lunch and recess, hands-on learning centers, and afternoon activities. The video captured the movement, inquiry, and joy that characterize kindergarten at CFSD.
"What I saw there is a lot of Student 3.0," Henikman reflected. "Moving, a lot of experiential learning, inquiry-based. Everything just really ties in together."

Building Community
Throughout the presentation, Henikman emphasized the importance of parent involvement and open communication. "Our success—parent involvement plays a major role in our success," he said. "We cannot do it alone."
He noted that Manzanita has intentionally opened its doors wider to family participation, hosting events like Grandparents Lunch (which drew over 275 grandparents in September) and welcoming families for birthday lunches and special visits.
"Gates are secure, but arms are open," Henikman said. "That's something that's really important to us."
Looking Ahead
As the afternoon concluded, parent volunteers led small-group tours of the campus, answering questions and sharing firsthand experiences about life in kindergarten.
Similar Kindergarten Show and Tell events took place at all CFSD elementary schools, giving families the opportunity to learn about programs, meet principals and teachers, and envision their child's first school experience. If you missed one of these special events, please sign up for a campus tour here.
For families considering CFSD, the message was clear: kindergarten is more than academic preparation. It's about building a foundation of curiosity, kindness, and love of learning that will carry students through their entire educational journey.

Kindergarten Enrollment Steps 

To enroll in CFSD kindergarten for 2026-2027, please complete the steps below that apply to your family:

Step 1: Open Enrollment Application
✔ Required for all Open Enrollment families
Apply online here: CFSD Open Enrollment.  The 2026-2027 application is open now.

Step 2: District Online Registration (State-Funded Portion of the Day)
✔ Required for all families attending any kindergarten program

Register online here: Register for School. Residents may register now. New families who live outside of CFSD boundaries may register once they receive an acceptance email. 
 

Step 3: Kindergarten Plus Registration (Full-Day Option)
✔ Only for families who want full-day kindergarten
Register and pay here: Kindergarten Plus

Step 4: CARE (Before/After School Care)
✔ Only for families who want before/after school childcare (7:00–8:00 AM, 3:00–6:00 PM)

CARE Registration will be open in March/April 2026. Note: CARE registration should be completed after steps 1-3. Registration is not refundable.

Remember to use your Arizona Tax Credits: Families can use state tax credits to offset Kindergarten Plus tuition costs. Learn more here.