District preschool classes provide an opportunity for your child to attend school independently, make their first real friendships, build emerging literacy and math skills, and expand social emotional skills. Students will develop a love of lifelong learning and the confidence in school readiness skills in preparation for kindergarten at New Prague Area Schools. There are a variety of full-day and half-day class schedule options to provide your family choices that work best for your child. All of these classes can be combined with preschool-aged childcare to provide your family with a schedule that works best for you. Most classes are held at the Early Learning Center at the Central Education Campus in New Prague. The Monday through Thursday full-day classes at Falcon Ridge Elementary, Raven Stream Elementary, and Eagle View Elementary follow the same strong tradition of the preschool classes that are held at the Early Learning Center located at the CEC. Warm and welcoming environment where children build peer friendships. The students will become a community of learners as they spend the day together. Families will have the option to have a free school lunch provided or families can also provide a daily home lunch, and they will eat together in the classroom. Child-centered approach to learning Play-based learning throughout the classroom instructional day. Playground time will be with similar-aged peers or at a time dedicated just for their class. Research-based curriculum Inclusive classrooms Family involvement is encouraged Licensed early childhood teachers and highly trained paraprofessionals A nature-based classroom is also available. The preschool years are when children’s brains develop more quickly than any other time. Play-based education in an outdoor learning environment allows children to explore the world around them while developing their whole selves. It provides an authentic experience that promotes creativity, attention span, and enjoyment in learning. Our nature-based classroom will have the goal of being outside a minimum of 50% of the time throughout the school year, reserving indoor time for extreme weather conditions. The class will meet each day at Falcon Ridge Elementary. This will allow an opportunity to use an indoor classroom when necessary to set the stage for learning, but the majority of the time each day will be held in the outdoor nature center at Falcon Ridge Elementary. Occasional field trips to Cedar Lake Farm on outside class days and busing costs for off site adventures are included in this class. 2026-2027 School Year Classes

Community Education offers a comprehensive Driver's Education program program that includes classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel instruction for students, as well as informational sessions for parents. Our teachers are licensed by the State of Minnesota to teacher Driver's Education. How to earn a Driver's License Step 1: Register for Classroom Instruction driver's education.Step 2: Complete 30 hours of classroom instruction. (Age 14+)Step 3: Receive eCard Certificate of Completion after finishing required classroom training.Step 4: Visit DMV to take the knowledge (permit) test and apply for instruction permit. (Age 15+)Step 5: Receive permit.Step 6: Practice driving with parent/guardian and schedule behind-the-wheel.Step 7: Complete the required number of supervised driving hours.Step 8: Receive eCard Certificate of Completion after finishing behind-the-wheel training.Step 9: Take driving exam/road test to earn license. (Age 16+) For more information on Minnesota’s driver’s license process, go to dps.mn.gov. Classroom Instruction New Prague Area Community Education provides classroom driver's education for students 14 years of age and older. Minnesota law requires 30 hours of classroom instruction to qualify a student to take their Instruction (Learner’s) Permit test. Classroom sessions typically run three hours per class over a period of ten days/evenings. In summer, the sessions are usually completed in two weeks. During the school year, the sessions may run three to four weeks. Classroom curriculum includes presentations, videos, discussion, worksheets, interactive software, and guest speakers. When a student completes classroom instruction and is registered into a Behind-the-Wheel session, they receive an eCard Certificate of Completion. The eCard and other paperwork is required to take their permit test. Classroom sessions are offered throughout the year and are conveniently located in New Prague and Elko New Market. Classroom payment covers the 30-hour classroom session and holds a place for a Behind-the-Wheel session. If a class is missed, make-up sessions are required and are $29 per day. If more than 2 classes are missed, there will be no session refund and the full classroom session is required to be taken and paid for again. Students must be present at the first class. PLEASE NOTE: Students must be 14 years of age by the first class date to be eligible to attend classroom instruction. In-person class may be moved to an online format as it relates to weather or school closings - we will inform you if and when this needs to happen. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at (952) 758-1734. Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Minnesota law requires six hours of Behind-the-Wheel instruction to qualify a student to take their Driver’s License test. Behind-the-Wheel sessions typically meet three to four times, in order to complete the six hours needed for each student driver in the car. Behind-the-Wheel sessions are offered year-round, weather permitting, with the majority of sessions in the summer months. Our Behind-the-Wheel sessions are run with two students in the car. This gives the students opportunities to practice driving as well as to learn from observing. Each car is equipped with a camera for the safety of the students and the instructor. Please note: It is recommended that students have 20 hours of supervised driving time with a parent/guardian before beginning Behind-the-Wheel.