The kindergarten registration program will be held at all elementary schools during the month of May. The school's nurse will meet with parents/guardians to review your child's confidential health status, immunizations, lead screenings, and entry-to-school physical requirements. They will also provide information on the use of health rooms, medication at school, and any other questions you may have. Parents must register any child who will be five (5) years old by September 1, 2023. The law allows exemptions to the school attendance requirements as follows:
- Permits compliance with the home school instruction regulation
- Grants a one-year immaturity if the parent or guardian makes a written request to the local school system
- It allows a 5-year-old to be enrolled in one of three alternative program settings: a full-time licensed child care center, a full-time registered family day care home, or part-time in a Head Start 5-year-old program.
Parents who choose to use one of the exemptions from the required 5-year-old attendance must request the appropriate exemption form from the Elementary Education Department at 301-334-8927.
In order to enroll, Maryland State regulations require parents to provide:
- Evidence of birth (the child's birth certificate)
- An official immunization record, including documentation of lead testing
- Documented proof of current residency
- Documents accepted by the State of Maryland as proof of residency include:
- Deed/Mortgage Agreement
- Current property tax bill
- Current rental lease or agreement
- Current utility bill with applicant’s name and address (cell phone bills are not considered a valid utility bill)
- Documents accepted by the State of Maryland as proof of residency include:
In addition, parents must complete an Affidavit of Disclosure to verify the residency of the child.
Parents of children who meet the above qualifications are asked to fill out an application online. A link to the application is provided below. If you need assistance in completing your child's application, please contact the elementary school in your home district and ask to speak to the Registration Liaison.
Application in English (live Feb 13, 2023*):
Solicitud en Español (en vivo 13 de febrero de 2023*):
Prior to May 15, 2023, all parents registering children for school will receive a registration appointment. Registration for kindergarten is to occur at the school for the assigned district in which the child resides. If a parent has questions regarding the district in which they reside, they should contact the Transportation Department at 301-334-8907. Per Policy and Procedure JCB, all out-of-area requests should be submitted by June 15th, and the request will be acted upon by July 1st. Both initial and renewal requests are to be submitted annually.
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE REGISTERED OR ENROLLED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING PROOF OF RESIDENCY.
*In case of an inclement weather day on February 13, 2023, applications will be accepted the next day when schools are in session. In the event of a 2-hour delay, applications will be accepted beginning at 10:00 a.m.
