Countdown To Kindergarten

 



When
Where
What to Bring
How

The Boston Public Schools offer a variety of academic, social and cultural experiences that is hard to match anywhere else. Families can make choices from a customized list of schools that typically includes more than 20 elementary schools at the K2 level. When you register, you will need to pick at least five schools, but you may list as many as you wish. Since the schools differ a lot, it is helpful to think about what factors are important to you and your child. The best way to get to know the schools is to visit; however, you can also pick up a copy of "Introducing the Boston Public Schools" at any Family Resource Center, or view it online at www.bostonpublicschools.orgto read up on each school's offerings.

What's New
Cross-zone assignments within walk zone:  Families can apply to any school within their “walk zone” (one mile for elementary schools), including schools located in other assignment zones.  Families who live within a school’s walk zone receive priority for 50 percent of all available seats during the first assignment round – for students applying to Kindergarten and Grades 1, 6 and 9. 

Additional K1 seats:  Over the past three years, Boston Public Schools has added 84 new Kindergarten 1 classrooms (kindergarten for four-year-olds). Please note that while these seats more than double the availability of seats for children who will be four by September 1, capacity is still limited. Applicants for K1 seats should still consider alternative options as assignment to one of these seats is not guaranteed. 

When 
Registration is ongoing; however, for your best chance at a school assignment of your choice,  it is important to register during Round 1.

Round 1 Registration: January 4, 2008- February 1, 2008
Round 2 Registration: February 4, 2008 - March 22, 2008
Round 3 Registration: March 25, 2008-May 3, 2008
Round 4 Registration: May 6, 2008- June 7, 2008

During Round 1, to avoid long lines, an alphabetical system is implemented and you will be asked to register during the week assigned to your last name (parent's last name):

                 A-I....................January 4-11, 2008
                 J-Q................... January 14-18, 2008
                 R-Z................... January 22-25, 2008
                 Open to all.........Jan 28 - Feb 1, 2008                            

All first-round applications, regardless of the day or week they are completed, will be processed together at the end of the round.

Where
You can register at any of the following Family Resource Centers.  All sites are open the following days and times:

Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri.,   8:30 AM - 5:00 PM                                                   Wed., 8:30AM - 1:30PM

Blue HandEast Zone:
1216 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester
(617) 635-8015

North Zone:
55 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury
(617) 635-9010

West Zone:
515 Hyde Park Ave. Roslindale
(617) 635-8040

Satellite registration site:

East Boston              
Tuesdays, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Umana /Barnes Middle School            
312 Border Street                                  
East Boston, MA  * This site is not open during school closings and  vacation weeks.     

Allston/Brighton
Thursdays, 8:30 am-5:00pm
Jackson/Mann Community Center
Brighton, MA                                

 What to Bring

  • Your child's original birth certificate
  • Proof of current immunizations
  • Three proofs of residency from the official BPS list 
  • Additional documents are required for legal guardianships

How
The application form lists all the schools you may choose. You must choose at least five schools; more is better.  You can also visit www.bostonpublicschools.org for this information.

You are much more likely to get assigned to one of the schools you have chosen if you register during the first round of registration. Try not to choose only schools that lots of other families choose. Don’t assume that every school other parents put first is the one you would like. People choose schools for many different reasons. Talk with people about the "hidden gems" in the system – good schools that aren’t well known or schools that have been improving recently.  Schools can -- and often do -- change in just a few years time.

Consider how likely you are to get in to a particular school, there are some things you can find out:

  • How many K-2 seats will the school have open for the following years? The Family Resource Center staff can tell you whether there are younger children in the school who will move up from K-1 and take a lot of the K-2 slots. Principals or parent liaisons may be able to tell you whether a significant number of seats will be filled by siblings of older children who attend the school and get priority.
  • Is the school in your walk zone? Half of the seats at each school are set aside for students within the walk zone – a mile from the school in any direction.
  • How many families tend to put that school down as one of their choices? It helps to know how many people you might be competing with for the schools you want. Family Resource Center staff can provide you with this information based on last year's registration data. Remember, though, a school's popularity can and does change.