Is your family getting ready to enter Kindergarten in Montgomery County?
The process of entering kindergarten can be a little overwhelming, but the following information can help to make the process easier for your family.
Helpful steps for MCPS Kindergarten registration
- Finding out if your child is eligible.
If your child is 5 years old by September 1 on the first day of school, they are eligible for enrollment. You can check age and enrollment requirements on MCPS’ website.
If your child is 7 years old by September 1 and has not been to a school in the United States within the last two years, or your child doesn’t live with their parent or legal guardian, you can contact the International Admissions and Enrollment at 240-740-4500 to begin the enrollment process.
- Registering for Kindergarten
There are two ways to register your child for kindergarten: online and paper forms.
If you would like to register your child online and are new to MCPS, you will need to create a ParentVUE account. This account will allow you to access all the forms you will need for kindergarten registration. If you need any help or have questions on the process, MCPS has a very handy Get Started with Kindergarten Online Registration tip sheet available for new and returning families.
If you want to use paper forms to register for kindergarten, you will need to contact your school directly. You can find out which school is assigned to your address by using the Schooo Assignment Locator.
- What Documents Do You Need to Register for Kindergarten?
You will need: proof of residency, identification, birth documents and health forms in order to successfully register for kindergarten.
If you are registering your child for the first time in a MCPS school, you must provide proof of county residency, identity, age and immunizations. Required immunizations must be completed within 20 days of registration.
Check out examples of MCPS verification documentation.
- Making Contact with Your School
You will want to make an appointment with your school if you are registering your children in person. Registration sessions usually start in the spring, prior to the new school year. You can check MCPS’ Kindergarten enrollment website.
If you want to know which school serves your neighborhood, use MCPS’ School Assignment Tool. You can also call the Boundary Information Line at 240-740-7725, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.
If you registered your kindergartener online, you should receive a confirmation email from the school in about a week, depending on the volume of registrations being processed.
MCPS’ Kindergarten Enrollment Site has a wealth of information for families. You can find:
- Kindergarten Handbook
- Kindergarten Enrollment flyer
- Flyers on Getting Ready for Kindergarten: What parents can do in literacy and math.
- Health Information forms
- New Student Information forms
- Vaccine Requirements
- Information on MCPS’s World Language Immersion Program
Make sure you and your kindergartener are ready for Kindergarten this school year and visit MCPS’s Kindergarten Enrollment site.
MCPL Kindergarten-Ready Resources
MCPL has many resources to get you and your child ready for kindergarten. On our Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers site can find information on:
- MCPL’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program
- MCPL’s Summer Reading Challenge
- Early learning tips on talking, singing, reading, writing and playing with your child
- Suggestion on choosing books for your child
- And much more
We encourage you to visit your local branch and ask library staff for help to find resources as well.