What is School Readiness & Why does it Matter?

Kindergarten readiness begins long before a child enters the classroom, with experiences from birth to age four playing a crucial role in shaping a child’s preparedness for school. This webpage form Parent Powered answers some common questions about school readiness including how parents can nurture school readiness at home.

Early On Michigan

Early On provides support to Michigan families with children ages birth to three who have developmental delays or disabilities or are at risk for delay due to a medical condition. Go to this website to find the self-referral form or call 1-800-327-5966

Preparing for School Success: MSU Extension

To help ensure children are ready for school, caring adults can do much to develop their early math, science and pre-literacy skills. Through MSU Extension’s early childhood education programs, parents and caregivers are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to enhance children’s skills in these important areas and to become their best resources and advocates.

Northern Michigan College for Kids

Join NMC College for Kids for a summer preschool experience like no other! Designed for students getting ready for preschool or Kindergarten, these fun theme classes include projects, stories and lots of imagination.

Zero to Three Resources for Families-Child Development

ZERO TO THREE’s parenting resources were designed to empower parents to develop their own strategies to promote the growth and development of their children. Here you will find resources on positive parenting, learning about developmental milestones, and responding to challenging behaviors.

Zero to Three-Developmental Milestones

Zero to Three provides up to date developmental milestones for infants and toddlers. View this resource for free information on what to know.

Zero to Three-Understanding Temperament

Every child is born with a unique set of temperament traits that influence how they experience and interact with the world. Recognizing and understanding these personality traits can help parents and caregivers provide the support children need to thrive. View this free resource for a breakdown of infant & toddler behaviors with resource to help you navigate temperament needs.

Academic Support | School Success Partnership

The School Success Partnership Program offered by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency gives academic support to pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students who face challenges that put them at risk of academic failure. Students receive personalized support to meet their unique needs including family issues, attendance problems, or struggling with academic skills. This program is currently available in select Traverse City Area Public Schools and Bellaire Public Schools. Fill out the contact form or call (800) 632-7334 to learn more.

Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association

The Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association provides support and tutoring services for students and families in the dyslexia community. Call (231) 929-1007 or fill out the contact form on the website to learn more.

SOS Learning Lab

The SOS Learning Lab provides consultation, coaching and support to facilitate learning for individuals of all ages. They also support students with a range of learning challenges and their families and help individuals achieve their high school diploma. Call 231-331-5065 or 231-649-7070 or fill out the contact form for more information.

Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning provides online tutoring services and test prep for K-12 education along with free learning resources. Here you will find support from a local or online tutor in all courses k-12, homeschool support, advanced placement support, and test prep. Call (888) 338-2283 or fill out the contact form for more information.

TCAPS Tutor List

TCAPS has compiled a list of employees who have indicated their interest in tutoring. You will find subject, grade level, and scheduling here. Students will be able to match with the best fit for their grade level and learning needs with an approved tutor through Traverse City Area Schools.

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. Here you will find resources on research syntheses practical strategies such as, state planning, training kits, and training modules for Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Pre-K Parent Modules, Infant/Toddler Parent Modules.

All About Social Emotional Development & Mental Health in Young Children

From birth, children are learning who they are and how to interact with the world and the people in their lives. This process of social-emotional growth will help your child develop a capacity for self-confidence, trust, and empathy, the building blocks for healthy relationships. This website from Healthy Futures highlights the importance of social emotional development and important developmental milestones.

Social Emotional Health in Young Children: MSU Extension Training

A child’s social and emotional skills, including the regulation of his or her emotions, capacity to solve problems and ability to interact with others have been identified as key factors in long-term academic and life success. MSU Extension Trainings prepare parents and caregivers to nurture their child’s social emotional development through topics such as positive discipline, mindfulness, and play-based learning. Find and register for classes on this website.

Families | Traverse City Area Public Schools

TCAPS believes education is a partnership between our schools, students and parents. This webpage includes information to help families stay connected with the schools and curriculum.

Parent Resources for Supporting Learning

Traverse Area District Library has a variety of resources to help parents support their child’s academic success. Resources, activities and books to support homework success, reading and literacy promotion, story times at home, children’s learning strategies, learning through art, and outdoor activities are available to take home.

Traverse Area District Library- Homework Help

The Traverse Area District Library has a variety of study resources to support learning and homework for children of all ages.

NMC College for Kids

Northwestern Michigan College has a list of available College for Kids classes where you can select program of interest and grade level. These educational activities and updated annually for current offerings of summer learning and fun!

Family Education & Support: MSU Extension

MSU Extension offers a variety of parenting education classes These tools provide assistance to military families, instruction about positive discipline, assistance for dealing with children’s anger, strategies for mindfulness, events for family engagement and support for family and school collaboration.

Grand Traverse Musical Scholarship Auditions

Our organization offers scholarships for brass/woodwind, keyboard, strings, and voice. Students in grades 7th-11th in either public, private, or home school in the 5-county area are eligible to audition for the scholarships. Vocal students must be 13 years old on or before March 1, 2026 and will be required to sing one classical selection and a second one classical or musical theater, (no belting). Students in 12th grade may audition for the Collegiate Awards for college study. The scholarships may be used to further musical progress: lessons, camp, or instrument purchase. The number and amount of the awards given depends on funds raised by members of Grand Traverse Musicale, in addition to contributions from generous donors.

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Scholarship

The Kelsey’s Law Distracted driving scholarship is available for 11th and 12th grade students to apply that are committed to safe and distraction free driving. Applicants must be a Michigan resident and have a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Northwestern Michigan College Scholarship Applications

Here you will find a list of the Northwest Michigan College Scholarship opportunities for students along with the process for applying explained.

TBA Credit Union-Invested Scholarship

The TBACU Invested in Scholarship was launched in 2019 to help fund continued education for students attending college who are committed to volunteerism. Four $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to students each year. Find the latest eligibility requirements here.