Preschool

International baccalaureate (ib) world school:

Fridley Preschool is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and is the only 3 and 4 year old program in the state to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) to young learners.

Early childhood indicators:

In addition, our preschool curriculum has been written to encompass several areas of inquiry and is aligned with Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs). The ECIPs are Minnesota’s early learning standards that provide a framework for developmentally appropriate expectations from birth to kindergarten. They also align to the Minnesota Kindergarten Academic Standards. 

Fridley Preschool 3 and 4 year Old Transdisciplinary Themes include:

Who we are
An inquiry into identity as individuals and as apart of a collective through physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being, relationships and belonging, learning and growing.

How we express ourselves 
An inquiry into the diversity of voice, perspectives, and expression through inspiration, imagination, creativity, personal, social and cultural notes and practices of communication, intentions, perceptions, interpretations, and responses.

How the world works 
An inquiry into the understandings of the world and phenomena through patterns, cycles, systems, diverse practices, methods, and tools, discovery, design, innovation, possibilities, and impacts.

Where we are in place and time 
An inquiry into histories and orientation in place, space, and time through periods, events, and artifacts, communities, heritage, culture, and environment, natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation, and transformation.

How we organize ourselves 
An inquiry into systems, structures, and networks through interactions with and between social and ecological systems, approaches to livelihoods and trade practices (intended and unintended consequences), representation, collaboration, and decision-making.

Sharing the planet 
An inquiry into the interdependence of human and natural worlds through rights, responsibilities, and dignity of all, pathways to just, peaceful, and reimagined futures, nature, complexity, coexistence, and wisdom. 

Central Features of Fridley Preschool Curriculum:

Fridley Preschool delivers a high-quality education to our students, focusing on Social and Emotional Learning, Mathematics, and Literacy. Your child will develop a love for learning while building a solid foundation for their educational journey.

Teachers support learning in the early years of the IB PYP Programme by:
• Planning uninterrupted time for play.
• Building strong relationships with students and their families.
• Creating and maintaining responsive spaces for play.
• Offering many opportunities for symbolic exploration and expression.

Additionally, our preschool promotes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile values:

• Inquirers
• Risk-takers
• Knowledgeable
• Balanced
• Reflective
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Caring
• Principled
• Open-minded

The Successful Learner Equation is used to recognize and uplift the individuals, programs, and systems that contribute to the success of each learner. Adults, programs and systems are responsible for supporting each child.

The Successful Learner Equation is grounded in the following beliefs:

• Children are always learning.
• Experiences, skills, and knowledge are tied to family culture.
• A strengths-based mindset is critical to supporting children and families.
• Diversity of all types should be celebrated.
• Instruction should be research-based and developmentally appropriate.
• School should be welcoming and joyful for all.
• Adults and systems should support all children wherever they are in their learning progression.

The Successful Learner Equation recognizes four interconnected components that foster successful learners: 

• Ready families establish the foundation for their child's health, development and learning within the context of their family's cultural values, norms, and beliefs. 
• Ready schools and programs deliver high-quality, developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically responsive care and education that supports families in nuturing their child’s healthy development and learning.
• Ready communities offer services to enhance the health, safety, economic stability, development and learning of children and families within their cultural context.
• Ready state with ready systems provide equitable access to comprehensive services and resources that support families and children from all backgrounds.

Children arrive in classrooms with a wide range of skills, knowledge and unique experiences from a variety of settings. Children are always learning and all age-eligible children are ready to begin school. The Successful Learner Equation reminds us that it is not the responsibility of the child to be “ready” for school. It is the responsibility of adults, programs and systems to be ready to support each child.

Join us on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Fridley Community Center (6085 7th Street NE, Door 10). The presentation will be held at 5:15 p.m.

Learn more about our International Baccalaureate Preschool and curriculum, the steps for completing enrollment, and see the Fridley Preschool classrooms. You can also learn more about childhood screening, transportation, and childcare.

See below for the documents parents should bring with them to this event.

To enroll in the 3 year old preschool program for the 2026-27 school year, your child must fall into the birthdate range of Sept. 2, 2022 to Sept. 1, 2023.

2026-27 Class Options: 

For more information on the full day class option, please contact Tiger Club Secretary Jordan Wright at 763-502-5107 or jwright@isd14.org.

To enroll in the 4 year old preschool program for the 2026-27 school year, your child must fall into the birthdate range of Sept. 2, 2021 to Sept. 1, 2022.

2026-27 Class Options: 

For more information on the full day class option, please contact Tiger Club Secretary Jordan Wright at 763-502-5107 or jwright@isd14.org.

There is no cost to qualifying families. To qualify for FREE preschool, you must meet one of the following criteria below:

• Qualifies for free or reduced-priced meals
• Qualifies using state general financial eligibility requirements listed in MN State Statute 
• Is an English language learner
• Is an American Indian
• Has experienced homelessness in the last 24 months
• Is identified through health and developmental screening with a potential risk factor that may influence learning
• Is in foster care, kinship care, or is in need of child protection services
• Has a parent who is a migrant or seasonal agricultural laborer
• Has a parent who is incarcerated
• Have a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), or is in evaluation.
• A resident of the Fridley Public School District
• Family special and extenuating circumstances reviewed and determined by district leadership.

Transportation is provided for 4 year old half-day families within Fridley district boundaries and those who reside in participating NWSISD boundaries.

Read more on the transportation website or contact 763-502-515.