For the first time this year, all three Old Rochester towns offered full-day kindergarten free of charge. In what school officials are calling a smashing success, 100 percent of kindergarten parents opted for the longer school day.

Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester School Committees approved full-day programs in 2013. Previously, parents had to pay $2,400 in tuition for Marion and Rochester’s full-day program. Mattapoisett residents spent $1,800 for full-day tuition.

The kindergarten program, which is not mandatory, does allow students to attend for half a day. The half-day option is still available for parents, but the schools eliminated the midday bus service to reduce costs.

Administrators praised the decision. All three elementary school principals said that students benefit when there’s no financial barrier to attending a full day of classes.

“The early childhood teachers are in support of this from a curriculum, and social and emotional standpoint,” Rochester Elementary School Principal Derek Medeiros said. “Having the kids here all day makes them more a part of the school community, and it gives them an opportunity to get into the school routine.”

Medeiros noted that every kindergarten student in his school attends full-day class.

Rochester School Committee members unanimously supported the switch.

In fiscal year 2013, 61 students attended kindergarten in Rochester. After accounting for tuition funding and Chapter 70 state aid the kindergarten program cost $61,147. This year, 51 kindergarten students are enrolled.

According to figures from the school’s finance department, the total cost of classes will cost $145,319 this year – an $84,172 increase. The jump is due to less than expected Chapter 70 funds. Next year, school officials project that 50 students will attend kindergarten for a total cost of $57,999 as state aid is expected to increase.

The Sippican School kindergarten budget rose $13,673 following the change. The total kindergarten cost is $196,679. Next year, that figure is estimated to be $178,126 due to additional state aid.

The number of enrolled kindergarten students fell from 54 in fiscal year 2013 to 47 this year. Forty-four kindergarten students are expected to attend next fiscal year.

Two Marion School Committee members voted against offering full-day kindergarten during last year’s vote. Both said the town’s Finance Committee should study the potential economic impact.

At the time, Chair Joseph Scott said the committee would review the budget in November. Scott said his committee requested the figures from district officials and would soon discuss the issue. He declined to comment before the committee had a chance to look at the numbers.

According to Sippican School Principal Lyn Rivet, the change is well worth the cost.

“I think the fact that families don’t have to pay for full-day kindergarten is transformational,” Rivet said. “It’s the best thing for children.”

Center School School Principal Rose Bowman agreed

“Going to full-day kindergarten seemed to be a fair and equitable way to serve all of the town’s five-year-olds,” Bowman said. “The goal was to make it a part of the regular school budget so parents wouldn’t have to pay tuition because some people can’t afford it.”

Fifty-seven Mattapoisett kindergarten students enrolled this fiscal year. They were divided into three classes of 19 students with one full-time teacher per class. The cost for this fiscal year is estimated to be $285,000.

“It’s been a very positive experience for the children and teachers, which makes it a positive program for families,” Bowman said.