Our School

Appleton Community 4K builds a lifelong love of learning by providing safe and nurturing educational environments. We focus on age-appropriate concepts and academic growth in play-based learning settings. Learning experiences are driven by each individual child’s interests and encourage creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and exploration. Student progress is monitored and assessed in areas that include Early Literacy Development, Mathematical Thinking, and Social and Emotional Development.

In Appleton Community 4K, we're playing, learning, and growing today... to lead, care, and contribute tomorrow. We'd love to have your child join us!

Please visit our enrollment page to check out our helpful instructional videos and find one of our community partners near you. We welcome you to reach out to the 4K sites you are interested in learning more about. They'd love to talk to you and offer you a visit! 

Families are encouraged to confirm that the program they select is part of AASD’s collaboration of 4K partner sites, as not all community-based four-year-old programs are affiliated with the district.

Guiding Principles of Appleton Community 4K

We believe that a successful and effective four-year-old kindergarten program:

• Recognizes that early relationships between and within the constellation of people surrounding the young child matter.
• Is universal, yet optional, with choices provided for meeting children’s early learning needs with consistent expectations.
• Is inclusive of all children. We recognize and support all abilities and needs while respecting culture, diversity, and knowing the individual stages through which children develop.
• Prepares the whole child. We promote active learning, learning through play, and growth in communication, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Uses knowledge of child growth and development as the foundation for educational experiences, professional development, and continuous program improvement.
• Engages with and is supported by the community. The community is an invaluable component.
• Supports the parents as the child’s primary teacher. We build partnerships between parents and early care and education.
• Views each child as part of a family. We provide information to families about valuable resources and opportunities in the community.
• Takes place in high-quality environments that are nurturing and developmentally appropriate.
• Fosters each child’s love of learning. Learning experiences are driven by individual children’s interests and encourage creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and exploration.

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Message from the Principal

Welcome to Appleton Community 4K!

I am excited to welcome you and your family to our school community. We look forward to partnering with you during this important stage of your child's learning journey.

Appleton Community 4K was designed as a community collaboration with our childcare, preschool, and Head Start partners throughout the Appleton community. We currently collaborate with 10 community partner sites and 4 school host sites to provide high-quality early learning experiences for our 4K students.

Our school motto is:

Appleton Community 4K, building lifelong learners through collaborative partnerships and play-based learning.

Our motto reflects our commitment to providing meaningful learning experiences for every child.

In 4K, play is the foundation for meaningful learning. As children explore, create, imagine, and interact with others, they are developing important academic, social, emotional, language, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for future success. When children share that they “played” at school, they are often describing experiences where they were actively learning, creating, and growing. I encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher to learn more about the skills and learning opportunities woven into their daily experiences.

We believe that strong partnerships between families, educators, and our community providers create the best environment for children to thrive. Throughout the school year, we will share important updates, celebrate student learning, and provide resources to support your child's continued growth at home.

Thank you for trusting us to be part of your child's early learning experience. I look forward to getting to know your family and working together to make this an engaging and successful year for every child.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Morkin
Principal, Appleton Community 4K