School Registration: What is Next?

How are elementary school assignments made?
The school assignment process varies by grade level, time of year, and whether your child is registering for the current school year or the next school year starting the following September.

During the school year, school assignments for K-5 are made on a first come first serve basis according to seat availability, waitlists, and date of completion of the registration.

If your child is registering for the current school year and has completed the registration process and all required immunizations, he or she will be assigned to school within 48 hours. We will work with you to establish your child’s start date and connect you with your child’s new school.

Registration for the next school year starting the following September (This registration period opens on the first business day in January each year for school entry the following September: We do not accept registrations for grades K-8 before the first business day in January for school entry in the next school year.):

• Students registering for Kindergarten in the month of January during the January Lottery will receive their school assignments in March.
• Students registering for Kindergarten during the second cycle (between February 1 and the date the January Lottery assignment letters are mailed) will receive their assignments in May.
• Students registering for Kindergarten after the second cycle will receive a school assignment within a few weeks. Students registering closer to the start of the school year will receive an assignment more quickly.
• Students registering for Grades 1-5, to begin school the following September, will receive their school assignments starting in mid-July for those families who registered between the first business day of January and July 5. Families who register after July 5 will receive their child’s school assignment on an ongoing basis.

At the end of this process, most students will be assigned to one of a family’s three school choices; however, some schools will fill up in one or both assignment categories.

What if my child has not completed all of the required immunizations?
If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the current school year, your registration may not go forward and your child will not receive a school assignment or start school until the immunization record is complete. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program.

If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the next school year, your registration can still go forward and your child will receive a school assignment; however, immunizations must be completed before the first day of school. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program. 

How can I arrange after-school childcare?
You will want to research the childcare options that are available at your child’s school. The Department of Human Services’ website contains a list of many after-school options and you can search for various resources for children and families at finditcambridge.org. After you receive your assignment, the Family Liaison at your child’s school may also be able to advise you about your options. 

When will I learn about the bus?
In late August, the transportation department will send you a letter stating whether your child is eligible for transportation and if so, the location of the bus stop. For more information, please contact the transportation department.

When will my child get to meet their teacher?
Each school notifies parents about teacher & classroom assignments. The timing of this notification will vary from school to school. The first two days of the regular school year are not school days for preschool or Kindergarten. All schools use these two days to hold small group or individual orientation sessions with parents/caregivers and preschool and Kindergarten students. Your child’s new school will send you more information.

How are upper school assignments made?
School assignments are made on a first come first serve basis according to seat availability and date of completion of the registration.
If your child is registering for the current school year and has completed the registration process and all required immunizations, he or she will be assigned to school within 48 hours. We will work with you to establish your child’s start date and connect you with your child’s new school.

Students registering for Grades 6-8, to begin school the following September, will receive their school assignments starting in mid-July for those families who registered between the first business day of January and July 5. Families who register after July 5 will receive their child’s school assignment on an ongoing basis.during the month of August.
At the end of this process, most students will be assigned to one of a family's three school choices; however, some schools will fill up in one or both assignment categories.

What if my child has not completed all of the required immunizations?
If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the current school year, your registration may not go forward and your child will not receive a school assignment until the immunization record is complete. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program.

If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the next school year, your registration can still go forward and your child will receive a school assignment; however, immunizations must be completed before the first day of school. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program.

How can I arrange after-school childcare?
You will want to research the childcare options that are available at your child’s school. More information can be found on the CPS website or in the back of the Schools at a Glance brochure. The Department of Human Services’ website contains a list of many after-school options and you can search for various resources for children and families at finditcambridge.org. After you receive your assignment, the Family Liaison at your child’s school may also be able to advise you about your options. 

When will I learn about the bus?
In late August, the transportation department will send you a letter stating whether your child is eligible for transportation and, if so, the location of the bus stop. For more information, please contact the transportation department.

What is the school assignment process for high school?

• The SRC will give your child’s immunization records to Teen Health at CRLS (459 Broadway). Teen Health will inform us whether or not your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Vaccinations must be up-to-date before we can enroll your child into CRLS. If your child needs additional immunizations, we will notify you directly.
• The SRC will fax the Records Release form to your child’s school, collect your child’s records, and forward them to the CRLS Registrar.
• If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), a member of the OSS staff at CRLS must review your child’s IEP before we can begin the enrollment process. Once this has been completed, the OSS staff member will notify us.
• If your child has a discipline record, CRLS Security must review this record before we can begin the enrollment process. Once this has been completed, Security will notify us.
• After all of 1-4 above is complete, we will enroll your child.
• Then, we will inform CRLS via e-mail that your child is enrolled and will send your child’s cumulative records to the CRLS Registrar.
• Once the CRLS Registrar receives your child’s cumulative record and reviews it, she will contact you, via e-mail, informing you of your child’s learning community and guidance counselor.
• You will then need to contact the guidance counselor directly to set up an appointment with the guidance counselor to create a schedule of classes.

What if my child has not completed all of the required immunizations?
If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the current school year, your registration may not go forward and your child will not receive a school assignment or start school until the immunization record is complete. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program. 

If your child’s immunization record is not complete when registering for the next school year, your registration can still go forward and your child will receive a school assignment; however, immunizations must be completed before the first day of school. Further questions may be directed to the School Nursing Program.