To register your child in a Baltimore County Public School you will need to meet age eligibility (for kindergarten students) and residency requirements. This article explains the needed documentation and steps for registration. However, Baltimore County Magnet Schools have different requirements and application processes.
Here's How:
- Determine age eligibility.
Starting with the 2002-2003 school year, Maryland changed age requirements for children entering kindergarten. The age requirements were phased in over several years. As of the 2007-2008 school year, the rules require that a child must age 5 on or before Sept. 1 to be registered in kindergarten. Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland.
- Locate correct school.
Baltimore County has an online school locator to help you determine in what school zone your address is. According to the BCPS website, "the district in which you live determines your child's attendance and is non-negotiable. You may wish to contact the Residency Office at (410) 887-0404, or the Boundary Information Line at (410) 887-4215 to discuss the issue."
- There are, in fact, some exceptions to residency rules.
- The most obvious is enrolling in a magnet schools, which accept students outside their boundaries but do not provide transportation.
- In previous years, middle school students could transfer out of schools that didn't meet No Child Left Behind standards. Beginning in 2008-2009, the County has disconinued this, using the Title I money that funded those transfers only in elementary schools now.
- Special transfer requests are granted on a case-by-case basis. Some reasons considered are parent is school employee, medical or physical reasons or change in residency.
- Contact school.
Schools are open during the summer. Contact the school in which you will register your child and make an appointment.
- Gather needed documentation.
Registration in a Baltimore County Public School requires:
- Proof of Baltimore County residency – Photo ID, lease or deed and three additional proofs of residency, which includes some types of mail. All must show the same address.
- Birth certificate
- Immunization form signed by a physician More on required vaccinations in Maryland
- Most recent report card for those not registering for the first time
- Maryland Student Transfer Record, if transferring from another Maryland public school
