Stevens previously hosted an informational community meeting on June 11 at Minneapolis Junior Senior High School for about 30 attendees. The district said it pursued the pilot after 2024 Community Listening Sessions and a patron insight survey showed strong community interest in a public preschool option in North Ottawa County. Stevens also said the goal is to improve access to early childhood education rather than replace services already offered through Parents as Teachers, Little Learners (Head Start), and Little Sams Preschool.
Enrollment is set to follow Kansas at-risk eligibility criteria first, with remaining seats filled through applications. Applications are available on the USD 239 website and were due by July 6, with the district adjusting the deadline to help parents plan earlier after patron feedback. Pre-K screenings will be held August 18 afternoon and August 19-20 at Minneapolis Grade School, and classes begin August 21.
For questions, the Minneapolis Grade School office can be reached at (785) 392-2111, or the USD 239 district office at (785) 392-2167.