Kindergarten/Young 5

This page includes supplementary information for KG and Young 5 families. Please see our Enrollment page (link at the top of this page) for detailed instructions.

Kindergarten and Young 5 Enrollment

The Dexter Early Elementary Complex (or DEEC, pronounced “Deck”) is made up of two school wings, Anchor and Beacon. Incoming students are placed in classes in either wing in order to balance demographics and class sizes. We attempt to keep Y5-grade 2 siblings in the same wing.

Michigan law requires students to be five years old by September 1st in order to enroll in Kindergarten or Young 5; parents of students born September 2nd through December 1st (12/1 included) may also enroll their students, if appropriate. Per state law, there are no exceptions to the December 1st cut off.

Children who turn 5 between June 1 and December 1 are eligible for Young 5. If the child’s birthday falls Sept. 2 through Dec. 1 we highly encourage a Y5 placement. The decision whether to enroll a late-summer birthdate 5-year-old in Young 5 vs. Kindergarten is something we recommend discussing with our staff so we can find the developmentally appropriate program for each student.

TIMELINE:

Virtual Parent/Guardian Information Night February 10, 2026 at 6pm. LINK TO VIEW WEBINAR RECODING
KG/Y5 Open House Scavenger Hunt: February 17, 2026 from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the DEEC
Schools of Choice Application Window: 8am February 16 – 3pm February 27, 2026 (the application will be posted on Schools of Choice page during the window)
Online Registration for fall 2026 will open March 16, 2026.

The info night webinar recording will be posted here by February 12, 2026.

INFORMATION ABOUT AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Dexter Community Education, located in Bates School at 2704 Baker Road, provides after school and no-school day care for students in young five through 6th grade. Please see their website for detailed information.