Kindergarten Enrollment Application Dates Announced

The Department of Education has announced that families of children who will begin kindergarten this upcoming September may apply in person between January 9 and March 2 at their zoned school. Families may also apply to other schools that their children are eligible to attend.

Schools will notify families about where their children have been assigned to attend beginning on March 19. To accept an offer, families must visit the child’s school between March 26 and April 20 to pre-register.

According to the DOE, children are eligible to start kindergarten in September 2012 if they were born in 2007, and are residents of New York City. Families must show the following documentation when they apply to a school:

• Proof of residence, such as any two of the following documents:

1. A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident's name and dated within the last 60 days
2. Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency indicating the resident's name and address and dated within the last 60 days
3. An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence
4. A current property tax bill for the residence
5. A water bill for the residence dated within the last 60 days
6. Official payroll documentation from an employer dated within the last 60 days, such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt (a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted)

• Child’s birth certificate or passport

• Names of any siblings who will be enrolled in grades 1-5 at the school in September 2012

The DOE says that zoned schools will give priority to students who live in that zone, or who have siblings who attend the school.

Families can visit the DOE’s web site at www.nyc.gov/schools or call 311 to locate their zoned school.