About K+ and Curriculum

• Kinder Plus applications for 2027-2028 school year may be entered, beginning December 9, 2026, at 10:00am. REGISTER HERE!

• Your Kinder Plus application will be time/date stamped. 

• Kinder Plus applications will not be processed until Community Schools receives confirmation from the CFSD District Office that your child’s School Registration for ½ day Kindergarten has been changed to an “Enrolled” status. The district will do its best to accommodate as many families as possible in the Kinder Plus program, however, there are no guaranteed Kinder Plus spots.  

• The $75 Application fee and all tuition payments are non-refundable. If an Open Enrolled family is unable to secure a spot, their Kinder Plus application will be withdrawn.
• Applications for Kinder Plus at multiple schools may not be submitted. Kinder Plus School applications must match the school registration.
• Yearly tuition is $3,150 (10 payments of $315/month, non-refundable, due on the first of each month). 
• Tuition discounts based on demonstrated financial need (maximum 20% discount) may be available. Contact the Community Schools office for a fee-reduction application form. 
• Kindergarten Plus tuition is eligible for the Arizona State income tax credit as allowed by A.R.S. 43-1089, (up to $400 for joint filers, per tax year. Please contact your tax advisor for more information. These non-refundable tax credit payments may be claimed for 2 calendar years, per individual or per couple joint filing.

We are committed to high standards of excellence in all our school district programs and know that children that are enrolled in our Kindergarten programs experience a high degree of success as they enter our first-grade classes. By enrolling your child in our Kindergarten programs, you will be taking the first step for your child’s successful educational journey in Catalina Foothills School District. 

Sincerely,
The CFSD Community Schools and Elementary Administrative Team

 Use Your Arizona Tax Credit to Help Pay for Kinder Plus 

Did you know that Arizona's Public School Tax Credit can help offset the cost of Kinder Plus tuition — at no net cost to you? Many families don't realize how flexible this benefit is or how much it can add up to over a single Kinder Plus year. This page walks through the basics, the timing, and the ways extended family and friends can pitch in too. 

The Basics 

Arizona Revised Statute § 43-1089.01 allows Arizona taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit for tuition paid to a public school for qualifying extracurricular activities. Kinder Plus is a qualifying activity under the Arizona Department of Education's "extended kindergarten" category. 

The maximum annual credit per taxpayer is: 

• $400 for married couples filing jointly 
• $200 for single filers, head of household, or married filing separately 

A "dollar-for-dollar credit" means that if you pay (up to) $400 per calendar year toward your child's Kinder Plus tuition, your Arizona state tax bill is reduced by $400 — a true offset, not a deduction. (You must have at least that much in Arizona tax liability for the year. Any unused portion can be carried forward for up to five consecutive tax years.) 

Families can claim the Arizona state tax credit up to three times over the course of the Kinder Plus program.

Because the school year runs from August through May, it spans two calendar years. By making your initial registration payment in 2026, you can claim your first credit on your 2026 tax return, followed by subsequent claims in 2027 and 2028. Since the Arizona tax credit is calculated per calendar year, this timing maximizes your total tax savings.

How to apply your tax credit toward Kinder Plus tuition 

The CFSD general tax credit donation form on the CFSD website cannot be used to pay Kinder Plus tuition. To apply your tax credit dollars toward Kinder Plus tuition: Contact Community Schools at 520-209-7548 for more information.

Friends and family can help — and they get the same tax credit benefit 

One of the most underused features of the Arizona Public School Tax Credit is that anyone with Arizona tax liability can pay tuition toward a specific Kinder Plus child and claim their own tax credit. The individual doesn't need to be a parent or guardian — they just need to be an Arizona taxpayer. 

For general Arizona Public School Tax Credit information, visit the Arizona Department of Revenue at azdor.gov or refer to ADOR Publication 707. 

This information is provided for general guidance and is not tax advice. Please consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. 

1) Will the state provide funding for full day Kindergarten?

For the 2027-2028 school year (and foreseeable future), we know that the state has decided to fund ½ day Kindergarten only for all public schools. Therefore, a full-day option will not be funded by the state for school year 2027-2028.

2) What does Kinder Plus curriculum include?

Extended time for science experimentation, reading instruction and practice, as well as time to enhance skills such as problem solving, social interactions and technology applications.

3) What is the cost of the Kindergarten Plus program?

The yearly tuition is $3,150 (10 payments of $315/month, non-refundable, due on the first of each month.)

4) Does C.A.R.E. operate during the Kinder Plus hours? 

C.A.R.E. is not offered in place of Kinder Plus.

5) I don’t think I’m going to be able to afford Kindergarten Plus, but could I pay a nominal fee to have my child stay through lunch for the social interaction and help me out in terms of picking them up/dropping them off?

This option is not available. 

6) Why do we have to pay for full day Kindergarten when other districts are providing it free?

All school districts have a variety of funding streams available. The state provides funding to all districts for a half-day of Kindergarten. Surrounding districts have chosen to take additional funds available (that CFSD does not receive) and lump them into providing a free Kindergarten program.

7) Do I get to pick my child’s teacher?

No. The principal will take suggestions, but no promises are made about which teacher your student will have.

8) If enrolled in Spanish Immersion and Kindergarten Plus (at Ventana Vista), will there be a Kinder Plus for Spanish Immersion students separate from regular Kindergarten students?

During the half-day kindergarten program, 100% of the core instruction (Language Arts or Spanish literacy skills, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health) is taught in Spanish. All special area classes (Art, Music, PE) are taught in English. There will not be a Kinder Plus for Spanish Immersion students separate from non-immersion Kindergarten students.