For most, it was their first time in school. Today, kindergarten provides a full school day of learning about subjects covered from grades first to fifth. Students are ready to read and write in first grade. Many of them have been in pre-school for three years. Even after-school has changed dramatically.
Few youngsters go directly home.
Instead, they attend after-care programs. Some go to childcare before school begins. Ask an elementary student what they learned in school today and they will mention things like Accelerated Reader, Science Olympics, Young Authors, Battle of the Books, and Math Expo. Mastery of subjects by grade level is the measure of progress. Students keep portfolios of their work.