Kindergarten/First-Grade Registration
In order to attend kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before Oct. 16 of the current school year. (Kindergarten entrance age will change to 5 years old on or before August 31 with the 2009-2010 school year.) In accordance with state law, gifted children who are age 4 by April 16 also will be considered for admission. For specific admission guidelines, call 850-1854.
Kindergarten enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year begins February 7, 2008. Nearly all parents choose to enroll their 5-year-olds in kindergarten even though the state does not require children to be enrolled in school until the age of 7. Wake County offers a full-day program.
To register your child, please go to your child's base school. If you need information about the base school assignment, contact the Office of Student Assignment at (919) 850-1921. Your child does not have to be present to be registered, but you will need to take along the following:
- Proof of residence in the form of a current electric, city gas or city water bill, signed lease agreement or closing statement in the name of the parent(s) or court-appointed guardian with a closing date within 45 days (telephone, cable television bills and driver's licenses don not qualify).
- A certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which can be obtained from the county or state health department where the child was born.
- An updated immunization record. Medical evidence of the
following immunizations must be submitted:
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP or DtaP): 5 doses. If the 4th dose was given on or after the 4th birthday, the series is complete.
- Polio (OPV): 4 doses. If the 3rd dose is given on or after the 4th birthday, the series is complete.
- Measles: 2 doses received at least 30 days apart: one dose on or after 1st birthday and a second dose before enrolling in school (k-1) for the first time. (Commonly given as MMR)
- Rubella and Mumps: 1 dose of each on or after the 1st birthday. (Commonly given as MMR)
- Haemophilus Influenza type b (Hib): 1 dose at or after 15 months or the complete series. Hib is not given if the child is 5 years or older.
- Hepatitis B (HBV): 3 doses (children born on or after July 1, 1994)
- Varicella: 1 dose for children born on or after April 1, 2001 without documented history of disease.
If you do not have a certified immunization record, contact your physician or the Wake County Human Services. A new series of shots can be administered. If a record of completed immunizations is not received after 30 days, the principal is required by law to suspend the child from school on the 31st day until evidence of immunizations is presented. - A completed Kindergarten Health Assessment. North Carolina law requires that a kindergarten health assessment be completed on or before the first day of school before a child can enter kindergarten. The health assessment must be completed no more than 12 months prior to the date of entry. Physical examination forms are available at Wake County schools, area doctors' offices or at the Wake County Health Department. Parents whose children do not have a regular physician can get health assessments and immunizations through the Wake County Health Department. First-time appointments should call (919) 250-3947.
- If coming from another school system, a completed Discipline Status Enrollment form is required. A copy of the child's latest report card and the previous year's achievement test results are helpful.
Please note that schools are staffed all year and throughout the summer. Please register your child as early as possible so the school will be prepared for your child. A special registration day for entering kindergartners is held in February for the following school year, but newcomers arriving after that date can register any time.