Welcome Incoming Kindergarten Families!
Welcome to the kindergarten! Entering kindergarten is a big step—the first step of your school adventure.
Kindergarten in the Shaker Heights Schools is designed to foster children’s natural curiosity and to support their academic, creative and social growth. We're thrilled that your child will begin that journey here.
Use this page as a resource for all the information you'll need for a successful start to your child's kindergarten experience. We've assembled information on enrollment, technology, communications, food service, fees & supplies, special education, transportation and more!
We look forward to meeting you this fall!
Did You Miss Kindergarten Kickoff?
Watch the presentations linked below!
Incoming kindergarten families joined us for a virtual Kindergarten Kickoff on Saturday, April 24! Parents and guardians had the opportunity to meet their child's building principal and to learn more about what to expect during this exciting and important first year of learning! Click the links below to access each school building or topic presentation.
Please Note: Due to technical difficulties, the presentations for Onaway, Boulevard, Food Service and Transportation were not recorded. For questions, please reach out via the contact information provided below.
Boulevard: Questions? Please call 216-295-4020 or email robinson_n@shaker.org.
Onaway: Questions? Please call 216-295-4080 or email forman_e@shaker.org.
Department of Exceptional Children: Please call 216-295-4311 or email kimmel_e@shaker.org.
Food Service: Questions? Please email jacobs_m@shaker.org.
Transportation: Questions? Please call 216-295-4390.
Enroll Today!
Register for School by the Preferred Enrollment Date: June 1
Once you enroll your child, a kindergarten yard sign and goody bag including a 'Class of 2034' shirt, Kindergarten Kickoff water bottle, free Mitchell's Ice Cream token and a book will be delivered to your home.
Check Out Our Additional Links & Resources Below!
Principals' Messages
Click on the appropriate video to hear a welcome message from your school principal.
Boulevard
Mr. Neal Robinson
Fernway
Mr. Chris Hayward
Lomond
Mr. George Clark
Mercer
Ms. Roneisha Campbell
Onaway
Mr. Eric Forman
Kindergarten Enrollment & Registration
You can enroll your kindergartner in Shaker Heights Schools online anytime or in person, beginning July 20, by appointment only. Call the Registrar’s Office at 216.295.4321 to schedule an appointment.
Helpful Links
Follow the Enrollment Checklist to help guide you through the enrollment process and to collect the required documents.
Review our Attendance Zones to determine where your child will attend elementary school.
Visit Kindergarten Readiness for tips on preparing your child for kindergarten.
Technology
Shaker Heights Schools is a Google district and provides Chromebooks for instructional use by all students in Grades K-12.
In the 2021-22 school year, the District will provide Chromebooks for all students.
Helpful Links:
Read more about Tech Resources and the District's $25 Chromebook Protection Plan.
Communications
All District families receive email and phone communication from their school buildings and from our District Communications team. All information is sent to the contacts you designate for automated communications when you enroll your student.
Helpful Links:
Read Connect with Shaker Schools to learn about more ways that you can stay connected with the District.
Food Service
AVI Food Systems is the District’s food service partner, providing students delicious and nutritious meals.
The District also offers free and reduced lunch and breakfast to students who qualify. Complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application online.
Helpful Links:
Read more about Food Service.
Learn about PaySchools Central online payment services.
Champions Onsite Child Care
Champions, the school division of Kindercare, provides before- and after-school care at each of the Shaker Heights Schools elementary buildings. For more information and to learn about enrolling in the child care program directly with Champions, please visit their website at www.discoverchampions.com.
Commitment to Educational Equity
In 2019, the Board of Education adopted the Shaker Heights Schools Educational Equity Policy. As a District committed to equity, we seek to disrupt societal and historical inequities and eliminate disparities based on student and family characteristics such as, but not limited to, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), economic status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability or military status, so that all students thrive.
The District formed an Equity Advisory and Action Team and, in 2020, created the District's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Learn more about Educational Equity and equity initiatives at Shaker Heights Schools.
Introduction to International Baccalaureate
Shaker Heights Schools was the first school district in Greater Cleveland, and one of only eight public districts across North America, to be recognized as a PreK-12 International Baccalaureate Continuum District.
International Baccalaureate, an internationally recognized educational program with a rigorous curriculum, features a global focus and emphasizes creative problem-solving, hands-on projects, inquiry-based learning and community service.
Shaker Heights Schools offers three International Baccalaureate Programmes:
Primary Years Programme, for all students in PreK through Grade 4
Middle Years Programme, for all students in Grades 5-10
Diploma Programme, an elective course of studies offered at Shaker Heights High School for students in Grades 11 & 12
Learn more about IB at Shaker Heights Schools.
Transportation
Shaker Heights Schools provides transportation for eligible resident students in Grades K-8.
Learn more about Shaker Heights Schools Transportation.
Fees & Supplies
The school supply fee for kindergarten students is $35. Learn more about Fees & Supplies.
Parents/guardians are asked to provide only the following items:
Paint smock (an old shirt is fine)
Gym shoes to be kept at school
Health Services
The District's Health Services team collaborates with families, students, staff and community resources in order to promote the health and well-being of every child.
Learn more about Shaker Heights Schools Health Services.
PTO
All families are members of the Shaker Heights Schools PTO. Learn more about your school’s PTO:
Department of Exceptional Children and Special Education Services
The Shaker Heights Schools team of special education specialists and instructors provide appropriate services to students with disabilities within the least restrictive environment with accommodations and modifications as needed. By differentiating instruction within the classrooms, we can address many student needs. We value the team decision-making process in regard to special education identification and placement.
Helpful Links:
Read the Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Learn how to make a referral.
Learn about our continuum of special education services.
Review information about the Parent Mentor Program.
Review all of our Special Education services.
Shaker Schools Foundation
Established in 1981, the Shaker Schools Foundation was one of the first in the nation to raise funds for a public school system. Since then, the Foundation has raised more than $3 million to support the tradition of excellence that sets the Shaker Heights Schools apart. Through the robust support of individual donors, community partners, and grants from local and national foundations, we are able to make a difference in the lives of all Shaker students at every grade level throughout the District. Learn more about the Shaker Schools Foundation.