How To Enroll Your Child in School in Montgomery County, Maryland

Determine the student's eligibility.
Children age 5 by October 31, 2004 and not age 21 on the first day of school are eligible for enrollment.

Age & Attendance Requirements

Age
Children age 5 by October 31, 2004 and not age 21 on the first day of school are eligible for enrollment in MCPS.

The Maryland State Board of Education has approved new entry dates that gradually raise the age for children entering pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 for all public schools, including the elementary schools in Montgomery County. The gradual phase-in of the new entry dates began with the 2002-2003 school year for pre-Kindergarten students. The Kindergarten changes begin this following year (2003-2004). The first grade changes begin in 2004-2005. The chart below identifies each age grouping and the phase-in requirements, which adjust the entry age each year until the target date of September 1 is reached for all age groups in 2007.

Attendance
According to Maryland law (7-301: Compulsory Attendance), every child between the ages of 5 and 16 must attend school. All children who will be 5 years old by the dates listed above must attend school in either a licensed private or public school Kindergarten. State law allows for 3 exceptions: for immaturity, for attendance in a licensed child-care center, or for attendance in a registered family day-care home.

Parents or guardians who want an exemption to the law must complete MCPS Form 560-19: Exemption to Kindergarten Attendance at their local school prior to the first day of school. Questions about this process should be directed to the local school or to the Division of Early Childhood Programs and Services at 301-230-0691.

If the child is not a U.S. citizen and has not attended a U.S. school continuously for the past two years, or is a U.S. citizens who has been attending a non-U.S. school overseas, contact the International Student Admissions Office at 301-230-0686.

If the child does not live with a parent, legal guardian, or certified relative, contact the Residency Compliance Office at 301-315-7324.

Homes Montgomery County MD
A part of the Homefinders.com Network