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If your child isn’t old enough for kindergarten but seems ready for something more than preschool, Junior Kindergarten at CIS might be the right fit. 

Junior Kindergarten 4, or JK4, is a class for students who are age four by September 1 of the year they will enroll, and it serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. JK provides students with an engaging year to grow and develop so they are ready to thrive in the kindergarten program when they are five. 

There are three sections of JK4, with one classroom teacher and a maximum of 10 students in each class. The JK4 teachers are supported by six specialist teachers who provide instruction in specific content areas, which rotate each day. Junior Kindergarten is a full-day program that meets weekdays from August through May. Children attend school from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with before and after-school care available if families need it. Or – if students want it. “Our daughter asks to stay after school for Cubs Quest so she can play with her friends longer,” shared John and Amber, the parents of a JK student.

JK is a warm, caring environment – students often seek a teacher’s lap during reading time, and teachers plop to the floor to build towers or play games right along with the kids. It doesn’t take long for students and teachers to develop a close relationship. “Before the kids leave at the end of the day, we sing the goodbye song and they are offered a high-five or a hug…but I always get a hug,” says JK teacher Kara Rohr.  

The JK program at CIS strikes a healthy balance between academic work and play. Students receive a solid foundation in language arts and math concepts. Similar to the older grades, JK students visit six specialist teachers each week for instruction in art, science, music, modern languages, physical education, and story time in the media center. Parents say that participation in the six “specials” is a true differentiator for our program. “I can see her light up when she talks about what they learned in science class, or art class!” says JK parent Heidi. “She enjoys having a ‘big kid’ schedule.”

Another parent cites the language program as a big reason her family came to CIS. “We have schools in Columbia where children can study a language prior to entering kindergarten but then it tends to disappear until middle, or really, high school. Kids learn language best at a younger age so I love that this is an option at CIS.” JK and Kindergarten students have a semester each of French and Spanish during the school year, and they choose one of those languages to study going forward after they get to first grade.

Students this age learn best by exploring, playing, and sharing. During center time they explore areas of interest, experiment through trial and error, and work through problems with peers. Alternating centers, recess, and seat work throughout the day provides opportunities for focused work and allows for getting the wiggles out. Students have one hour for resting; some will sleep while others rest quietly.

Social and emotional readiness is a key component of success in elementary school, and we provide children with opportunities to develop those skills, fostering independence and confidence. Students learn the daily routine and expectations of school, such as raising their hands when they want to participate, playing safely with friends on the playground, and cleaning up their table spots after lunch. “My child benefited from being in a real school setting, learning real world rules and proper behavior before she started kindergarten,” says parent David.

The character curriculum we share with all of our students is carried out in JK4 through daily interactions. Each month, the lower school focuses on one or two virtues such as responsibility, generosity and empathy. JK4 classes read books on those topics, discuss the monthly virtue during circle time, and use those terms throughout the day (“You showed perseverance by not giving up!”) to reinforce behavior. 

The JK4 teachers, Kara Rohr, Jill Hancock and Kristin Floyd, are the crown jewels of our JK4 program and are loved by students and parents alike. 

Mrs. Rohr joined the CIS faculty in 2009 when we created the JK program. She has a bachelor’s degree in child development and education and a master’s degree in teaching. Mrs. Rohr says her favorite part of teaching is being part of the family-like community at CIS. She laughs as she says students sometimes invite her to birthday parties, and she tries to accept those invitations when she can so that students will know how important they are to her. 

Parents share stories that illustrate how much Mrs. Rohr truly cares for her students. One parent, Nibedita, says she emailed Mrs. Rohr to say her daughter was sick and wouldn’t be in attendance, and Mrs. Rohr immediately called to express her concern. Another parent, Austin, shared a story about his son bringing Mrs. Rohr a Frisbee meant for her dog. “Mrs. Rohr took a photo of her dog with the Frisbee and brought it in to share with him. She always follows up with him.”

Mrs. Hancock has taught JK at CIS since 2011. She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and has work experience with Head Start, Kaplan Early Learning Company, and MU’s Center for Family Policy and Research. Mrs. Hancock says she enjoys helping students learn how to solve problems and find the joy in learning. “We are the entry gate into an amazing community – I love getting to know my students and providing them with a strong foundation they’ll carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.”

JK parent Emily says, “We love Mrs. Hancock! She is affectionate, calm, encouraging, creative and experienced. I love the way she runs her classroom. It’s such a positive environment and the children have the freedom to play, explore and create.” Other parents, Paul and Kim, cited Mrs. Hancock’s ability to meet their child’s need for enrichment. “We are so grateful she proactively customized his learning experience to match his current development level. Mrs. Hancock and others within CIS helped build an outside-the-box learning solution that transformed his JK experience into a growth-filled year.”

Mrs. Floyd joined CIS in 2024 when we added a third section of JK4.

Junior Kindergarten is a rich and rewarding experience for students and their families that helps the transition to kindergarten go smoothly. And, all JK4 students move up to kindergarten the following year without having to apply again or compete for a spot. Kindergarten spots are consistently in high demand, and we have more qualified applicants than spaces available, resulting in a wait list. JK4 students simply matriculate to kindergarten and, eventually, all the way through 12th Grade.

The most difficult thing about JK4 might be leaving it. “I already know it’s going to be extremely hard on our daughter when she’ll be done with her teacher’s class at the end of the year,” says JK parent Alexis. It’s lucky for his daughter that Mrs. Rohr and Mrs. Hancock love to have former students back for a high-five or a hug, any time.

If you are interested in more information about Junior Kindergarten or Kindergarten, contact Kari Stockwell to schedule a tour or Zoom call. Applications for Fall 2026 enrollment are due by March 1, 2026.