As full-day kindergarten becomes more popular, the School Town of Highland has decided to extend the program to all four of its elementary schools next school year.

"Students who attend full-day kindergarten are more likely to show increased academic achievement, develop better social skills and have higher attendance rates," said Ron Blake, director of personnel and support services for the district.

"By allowing more time for instruction and individual attention, schools have the opportunity to identify and solve learning problems early on in a student's educational development."

Out of 169 students registered for kindergarten, 97 are for the full-day program and 72 are for the half-day, Blake said.

"Ultimately, we'd like to see all of our kindergarten students in a full-day program," he said.

Last year, the school district received $59,413 in state funding for 75 full-day kindergarteners, Blake said.

The Griffith school district started a full-day kindergarten program this school year, Assistant Superintendent Gary Sutton said.

The four elementary schools offer one class each, and 71 students are enrolled.

Sutton said the program is funded through a state grant covering about 60 percent, or $800 per student, leaving 40 percent for Title I and general fund money.

The School Town of Munster has offered a full-day kindergarten program for about 15 years.

The district has six sections of 26 students, totaling 156 students this school year, said Maureen Stafford, director of instruction and assessment.

Each student is assessed a yearly fee of $1,800, of which the state contributes a minimum of $721 per student, Stafford said. Parents are responsible for the balance.

The district also gets about $250,000 in Title I grant money for the full-day kindergarten classes at Eads and Elliott elementary schools.

The program at Frank Hammond Elementary school is funded by the general fund, she said.