We are so excited to invite our youngest learners to the Hinckley-Finlayson School District! Our experienced teachers and engaging curriculum offer children the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment.

Our Mission

The place where every student is known, valued, and challenged to succeed

Our Curriculum

Math: Bridges is a playful, play-based math curriculum that captures children’s interest through engaging themes, games, stories, mysteries, hands-on manipulatives, and visual models. Its structure follows well-researched developmental progressions, providing a logical sequence that supports deep understanding and skill development as children grow.

English Language Arts: Amplify CKLA offers structured, systematic instruction to build language, literacy, and content knowledge in young learners. Through developmentally appropriate routines and high-quality trade books, it creates a rich, engaging literacy environment that supports early learning and growth

Social Skills: Second Step Early Learning is a research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum that supports preschoolers in developing key skills for success in school and life. The program focuses on strengthening abilities such as listening, attention, self-regulation, and social interaction. By fostering these foundational skills, Second Step helps create a positive classroom environment and enhances children’s readiness for kindergarten.

Phonemic Awareness: Heggerty is a curriculum that supports preschool students in developing essential pre-reading skills. Through brief, engaging lessons, it focuses on skills such as rhyming, blending, and segmenting sounds. Designed to complement existing literacy instruction, Heggerty serves as a valuable tool for building a strong foundation for reading success.

Pyramid Model: Our preschool program utilizes the Pyramid Model, a framework designed to ensure every student demonstrates growth and readiness for kindergarten. This model in early childhood education promotes the social and emotional development of young children while preventing challenging behaviors through a tiered approach. It begins with universal supports for all children and advances to personalized interventions for those requiring additional assistance. By implementing this model, our early childhood practitioners, caregivers, and families collaborate to cultivate nurturing environments, forge positive relationships, and nurture healthy social-emotional growth.

Our program also offers:

Free programming available for all families

Transportation provided to and from school for 4-year-olds

Full-day programming, 4 days a week (4-year-olds will not have classes on Fridays)

Start time 8:10 a.m. (HES) and 7:50 a.m. (FES)Free Breakfast and Lunch provided

Preschool Start Dates and Screening Information for the 2025-2026 school year

• Preschoolers (4-year-olds):
  • Start Date: Monday, September 8th, 2025
  • Classes Monday-Thursdays, No Class Fridays
    • Early Relase on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m.
  • Screening Days: September 2th – 5th for all Hinckley-Finlayson Students needing to be screened
    • We are offering these days to ensure our students are coming in screened prior to starting Preschool. Please schedule an appointment for screening by emailing mlee@isd2165.org or call the HES office at 320-384-6443
• Preschoolers (3-year-olds):
  • Start Date: Friday, September 12th, 2025
  • Classes Fridays:
    • Finlayson Elementary School
      • Morning class: 7:50 am – 10:50 am
    • Hinckley Elementary School
      • Morning class: 8:30 am – 11:00 am

Early Childhood Family Education

ECFE is a program tailored for all Minnesota families with children from birth to kindergarten entrance. It operates on the belief that a child’s first and most crucial learning environment is the family, and it acknowledges parents as their child’s first and most important teachers. The program’s primary goal is to help strengthen families.

ECFE provides a wonderful opportunity for families with young children to come together and enjoy various activities. These include stories, singing, arts and crafts, and more! Registration materials will be available during your first class.

For the 2025-2026 school year, we will be adjusting our schedule to enhance our programming, better serve our families, and offer more opportunities for active participation. Please keep an eye out for our September calendar coming soon!