District 721 Preschool
Preschool registration for the 2024-2025 school year is currently open here!
New Prague Area Schools’ Early Learning preschool program is designed to meet the unique social-emotional and academic needs of children ages 3-5. Half-day and full-day classes are offered Monday through Friday from September to May. Preschool WRAP childcare is also available for families who need extended care.
Please contact our Early Learning office with any questions. Scholarships are available to students that qualify.
Phone: 952-758-1674
Attendance Line: 952-758-1670
Address: 410 Central Ave North, Suite 400
New Prague, MN 56071
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Mary Bartusek
Supervisor of Early Learning Phone: 952-758-1606
Email: [email protected] |
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Sharon Rezac
Office Assistant
Phone: 952-758-1674
Email: [email protected] |
Learn about District 721 Preschool
Through a play-based learning approach guided by highly trained, licensed early childhood teachers, your child will be immersed in opportunities that promote peer friendships, positive relationships with others, curiosity about learning, and developmentally-appropriate academic skills. The preschool curriculum is comprehensive and research-based, aligns with the state of Minnesota’s learning standards for early childhood, and teaches to the whole child in an inclusive environment. As the school district’s only preschool program, it exemplifies the district’s proud tradition of excellence.
Our dedicated teachers work with students to develop:
- Group, friendship, self-help and independence skills
- Rhyming and alliteration awareness
- Letter and sound recognition
- Print and number awareness and concepts
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Sensory and discovery play
- Art and music
District 721 offers three convenient preschool locations:
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Central Education Campus (CEC)
410 Central Ave N New Prague, MN 56071
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Falcon Ridge Elementary (FR)
1200 Columbus Ave N New Prague, MN 56071
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Eagle View Elementary (EV)
25600 Nevada Ave Elko New Market, MN 55020
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Registration information
2024-2025 School Year
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is currently open here. You can also download the 2024-2025 preschool brochure to view class offerings, childcare options and more.
Parent resources
- View the 2023-2024 Preschool Calendar
- Download the 2023-2024 Parent Handbook
- Explore new Early Learning opportunities
Preschool FAQ
What is the difference between attending full or half-day?
Being at school for a longer period of time can really benefit some children but may not be helpful for other children. You know your child the best. Please consider: Does your child have the stamina for a full-day experience? Does your child still need a nap? Can your child be away from you for the whole day? You want to set your child up for success.
Why do you have so many options for preschool?
We strongly feel that parent choice is very important. Families have different situations and needs, so we like to offer options that can work for your child and you.
Why do you not offer 5 full days of preschool?
Once your child starts kindergarten, they will transition to this schedule. They will be attending school for a long time. We feel it is critical for young children to have unstructured time and developmentally appropriate opportunities. The Preschool WRAP childcare program does this very well. WRAP offers care on non-school days and before and after preschool classes. All day, five days a week school experiences are provided in kindergarten.
What if my child gets ill or injured while at preschool?
All of our preschool locations have a nurse and the appropriate facility to help your child with all of their health needs.
How many students are in a classroom?
Classroom sizes vary from 14-17 students. It depends on enrollment. Classroom maximum is 20 students.
How many staff members are in the classroom?
We follow the guidelines from the MN Department of Education. For every 10 students, there is one adult. All classrooms have a licensed teacher and a paraprofessional. Some sections of preschool have an additional early childhood special education teacher. In those cases, there are 15-20 students with 3 adults.
Does my child need to bring lunch?
As part of a permanent program through the State of Minnesota, free meals will be provided for all students. This includes one breakfast and one lunch per school day for preschool students enrolled in a full-day class. For those in half-day morning classes, breakfast will be provided. For those in half-day afternoon classes, snack will be provided. Students who are enrolled in Preschool WRAP childcare before, after or on non-preschool days may also receive meals during the hours they are in attendance.
Does my child have to be potty-trained?
Children should be toilet trained during the day. It is very important for children to be independent using the bathroom. However, we do realize that children grow and develop at their own pace.
Do you have a rest time?
During preschool, there are no scheduled rest times. Students that attend WRAP have a daily rest time in the afternoon. Some kids nap at that time.
Do you have conferences?
All preschool parents conference with their child’s teacher in January. You may request another conference at any time.
When should my child complete early childhood screening?
Anytime after your child’s third birthday, screening should be completed. We screen children ages 3-5 years old. Waiting until your child is older does not mean they will do better. Preschool scholarship recipients must screen by November 1. We require all children enrolled in district preschool to be screened by December 1.
New to the district?
If you have a child age birth to 5 years and do not receive district NPAS Early Learning brochures, make sure you are registered with the New Prague Area Schools District Office. Click here to complete the registration process for your child. If you have questions about the district registration process, please contact Janelle Sasse at [email protected] or (952) 758-1703. For more information on Early Childhood Screening or to schedule an appointment, contact the Early Learning office at (952) 758-1674.
