Kindergarten Registration

Welcome, New Families! 

The January 2026 Kindergarten Lottery closed at 4PM on Friday, January 30, 2026. Registrations for kindergarten for SY26-27 received after 4PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 will be processed at the end of March. Registration options >>

Registering a child for Kindergarten is an exciting time for families. We hope that the information in this section assists you in understanding the registration and controlled choice process. You can start the process by downloading the registration application and other required forms from our Forms Page. Learn more about registration options.

Looking for information about the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP)? Learn More >>

Kindergarten Registration Deadlines

• Registering for the Current School Year: 
  Age-eligible students who have recently moved to Cambridge or are otherwise entering school mid-year may register at any time. These registrations are processed on a first come, first served basis.
   
• Registering for the Next School Year:
  Registrations for kindergarten for SY26-27 received after 4PM on Friday, January 30, 2026 will be processed at the end of March. All children who are five years old by August 31, 2026 and Cambridge residents will be assigned to kindergarten no matter when a family registers.
   
• February Lottery:
  Registrations completed between February 1 and the assignment of the January Kindergarten Lottery applicants in March will be entered into a second cycle Lottery. During the February Lottery, applications are randomized and assignments are made based on available openings. There is no special priority for siblings or proximity or program language, and there will be fewer seats available.
   
• Non-Lottery Kindergarten Registrations for September (Next School Year): 
  Applications received after the assignment of the January Kindergarten Lottery applicants in March are accepted on an ongoing basis and processed on a first come, first served basis. Non-Lottery registrations do not offer special priority for siblings or proximity or program language. You may place your child on one waitlist if your true first choice of school has no seats available. As the school year approaches, there will be fewer available seats across the city; however, your child will definitely attend Kindergarten. Although a school assignment is guaranteed for Kindergarten, CPS does not guarantee that we will be able to assign your child to one of your three school choices.

We strongly encourage you to read the Waitlists & Transfers: Grades PK-5 section of our website in order to familiarize yourself with what can be a complex process.

Who is Eligible to Attend Kindergarten in September 2026? 
Children who live in Cambridge and who will be 5 years old by August 31, 2026.

Most Recent Lottery Data

Contact the Student Registration Center
Hours: Monday - Friday | 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Tel: 617.349.6551 | Fax: 617.349.6552 
Email the SRC
Our staff members are available to assist you during business hours all year long, except holidays.

SRC Location
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
First Floor, SRC Entrance
459 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138