Early Education

Anaconda School District Early Education Offerings

The Anaconda School District believes in Early Education. Therefore we offer 2 programs.

Preschool which is offered for 3-4 year old's.

and

Early Kindergarten for students who are 4 years of age or older on or before September 10th which meet one of the following criteria:

  • Meets income eligibility guidelines for free or reduced meals under the National School Lunch Program

  • Is Limited English Proficient within the meaning of Title II of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act

  • Is Gifted and Talented under the term as used in 20-7-901

  • Is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian Tribe

  • Is homeless ad defined in Code 11302, or as determined by the administration

  • Exhibits other characteristics or lives in circumstances that are uncommon, unusual, atypical, rare or otherwise distinguished from ordinary or typical which place the child at risk of failing to achieve at adequate levels.

New for the 2024-2025 SY

We wanted to let everyone know about some changes that are on the horizon for our Early Kindergarten Program (4 year old program).    Last year, there was a law that was passed regarding education for 4 year old students in the state of Montana.   Currently, we enroll 4 year olds  based on exceptional circumstances (income, disability, attending school in a community that has a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch, etc.).  However, this new law no longer allows 4 year old's to be enrolled in school for these exceptional circumstances.  It has criteria tied to literacy.  The state is hoping that by allowing families to have early learning opportunities that focus on literacy that the percentage of students who are reading at grade level by 4th grade will improve greatly.  

Therefore, our Early Kindergarten Program (4 year olds) will now be an Early Learning Program which focuses on integrated literacy meaning that literacy will be a focus throughout the entire day and tied to all academic subjects.   We plan on sharing more information with our families as we have official policies approved by the school board.  We are hopeful this happens later in March.  

Note - we don't foresee any changes happening with our 3 year old program at this time. 

If you have questions, please contact Norah Barney at 406-563-6141, Ext 1605 or email her at nbarney@anacondaschools.org or SeeSaw.

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Early Education