Starting kindergarten is an exciting time for young children and their families. The information here could help with the transition.

Registration/enrollment

Any child who turns 5 on or before Oct. 1 is eligible to start full-day kindergarten in August. To enroll a child, families should go to the school their neighborhood is assigned to and fill out a registration packet. 

• Registration requirements
• Out-of-area requests
• Admission to Gifted & Talented programs and magnet schools is by application only. The application window for the 2012-2013 school year closed Oct. 7, 2011. Call (859) 381-4741 for assistance. | Online application

For the 2012-2013 school year: Registration for kindergarteners and other new students is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays during these windows:

• Feb. 13 through March 9 (also 4 to 7 p.m. Monday Feb. 13)
• April 9-26 (also 4 to 7 p.m. Monday April 9)
• Tuesdays from June 12 through July 17 (except July 3)
• July 23 to Aug. 15, the first day of school

During the summer, please call the school before dropping by. For other questions, call the kindergarten office at (859) 381-4202 or the Pupil Personnel office at (859) 381-4130.

Español: Información de Matrícula para Kindergarten

Countdown to Kindergarten

“Countdown to Kindergarten” spotlights the importance of early learning activities and family involvement in education while also providing residents with a range of entertaining programs. Thanks to the joint efforts of local organizations, children registered to start kindergarten in August have a summer full of free and low-cost activities to help them get ready for their first day of school. 

• Sponsors and history of the communitywide initiative
• Feature article from the 'Going to School' rally

Kindergarten Kickoff

This late-summer informal orientation gets children and families into the school spirit! You might fill out paperwork, tour the school and meet other families and a few teachers. Meanwhile, school staff will administer the FCPS Learning Check Screener to your child. 

• Kindergarten skill sheet | en Espanol 

This skill sheet focuses on pre-reading and pre-math skills. Don't panic if your child cannot do everything on the list. Simply start to introduce the new skills by embedding them throughout your daily routines -- counting bananas at the grocery store and finding words around the house that begin with certain letters. Remember, it's also important to work on your child's following directions, listening and getting along with others.

• 2011 feature article

Did you know?

• Each school has its own website, where you can find school supply lists, important dates and timely information.
• The Governor's Early Childhood Task Force developed a definition for school readiness.