We Make Kindergarten Readiness Easy For Parents And Educators
My Schools Tucson believes education is a powerful force for reducing poverty and inequality.
Our mission is to ensure every Tucson family has access to the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to confidently choose the right kindergarten that best fits their child’s needs. No family should be left out of the opportunities that education provides.
Why It's Vitally Needed
Data shows that when families feel informed and engaged, they create brighter paths for their children and build stronger partnerships with educators.
The Countdown to Kinder Program directly addresses a root cause of educational inequity: the systemic under-engagement of parents due to lack of access to clear, actionable information and support. By providing culturally responsive tools and personalized support, the program not only increases school readiness but also empowers families to be lifelong advocates for their children’s education.
Arizona’s education system has grown increasingly complex. Public school open enrollment, charter schools, private school scholarships, and new learning options leave families overwhelmed about their choices and needing clear access to information.
What Is a Countdown to Kinder Presentation Like?
Countdown to Kinder is a family-centered program that guides parents and educators through the process of exploring kindergarten options, understanding enrollment steps, and learning tools to support their students at home and at school.
We offer free, bilingual workshops (30–90 minutes) for parents, early childhood educators, and nonprofits. Each session is tailored to your community and provides practical tools to build an ecosystem of informed, empowered parents.
Topics covered include:
- Exploring all school options
- Essential Enrollment Deadlines
- Understanding school letter grades and rankings
- Private School Funding
- Parents’ role in supporting your child’s academic success
Outside of presentations, My Schools Tucson offers free, one-on-one support for families and educators on enrollment, special education resources, parental engagement, and school selection. Contact us to learn more.
Making An Impact For Families
Countdown to Kinder empowers families and educators to navigate Arizona’s school landscape with confidence.
When families feel informed and engaged, they create brighter paths for their children and build stronger partnerships with educators. We believe that these gains in knowledge and changes in behavior will lead to communities where every child starts school with confidence and every parent feels empowered to guide their success.
Countdown to Kinder Parents are 5x’s more likely to know the right questions to ask when choosing a school.
Parents are 13 times more likely to explore, research and compare schools.
Understanding of school letter grades quadrupled.
Familiarity with open enrollment deadlines and process tripled.
After participating in Countdown to Kinder, families began researching schools at least twice as early—typically 6–12 months prior to enrollment.
Bring Countdown to Kinder to Your School or Organization
Empower your community with our free, bilingual Countdown to Kinder workshops.
Designed for parents, early childhood educators, and nonprofits, each session delivers hands-on strategies and resources to help families confidently explore schools and build a network of informed, engaged parents.
By bringing this program to your community, you’ll help parents gain the knowledge and confidence they need to make informed choices for their child’s education.
Connect With Our Team
Scott Evans
Director of Family and School Engagement
(520) 529-1766 Ext. 214
We Have Partnered With:
My Schools Tucson is an initiative created by Community Investment Corporation (CIC), a Tucson-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding economic opportunity and providing pathways to upward mobility in Pima County and across Southern Arizona. Find out more about CIC here.
Thank you to our sponsor:
