Dakota Language Nest enrollment

The Dakhódiapi Wahóȟpi program is open to the community and enrolls children aged 3 to 5 years. It meets five days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the school year. The program follows the UMN academic year calendar. Enrollment is for the entire academic year. Once admitted, we expect a child to complete a full term in the program.

As a program of the University of Minnesota, we provide equal access to and opportunity in our programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Learn more

For more information about our part-day program, please complete this interest form and our Outreach Coordinator will be in touch.

Our Outreach Coordinator will provide a link to an application form. You will also need to pay the $75 non-refundable application fee in cash or by check payable to the University of Minnesota or the Child Development Laboratory School. The registration fee is waived for applicants using scholarship funds.

Note: If paying by check, please put the child’s name in the memo line of your check. The fee can be mailed or dropped off at the address below: 

Child Development Laboratory School
921 17th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Admission

Our outreach coordinator will contact you when it’s your child’s turn to enroll. You’ll have 48 hours to accept or decline the enrollment offer. Please note that the $200 enrollment fee per child is waived for children enrolling in the Dakota Language Nest due to grant funding from the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.

If you accept the offer of enrollment, our outreach coordinator will reach out with next steps. A welcome meeting or home visit will be scheduled with your classroom teacher for you and your child. This will be an opportunity for you to get to know each other before the first day of school.