Step 5: Visit & Choose Schools
OCTOBER-JANUARY
Families who are enrolling children in kindergarten for the following school year can visit the BPS "What Are My Schools?" link to get a list of schools available to your family. You can also download the "School Preview Time Schedule" to find times when you and your family can visit these schools. When you visit, make sure you download and bring along Countdown’s useful "Visiting Schools Checklist!"
Step 4: Register for Schools
JANUARY-MARCH
Register in the first round of BPS registration to guarantee your best chance of getting into a school of your choice! Download and read Countdown’s "Information Sheets" for everything you need to know about registration (including BPS Express pre-registration), gather the necessary documentation (birth certificate or passport, 3 proofs of Boston residency and child’s immunization records) and visit a Family Resource Center to register at ANY time during first round.
Step 3: Meet Your School
APRIL-JUNE
After you receive your school assignment from BPS, be sure to check the mail for an invitation to your kindergartener’s new school’s Welcome Session, or check the "Welcome Session Schedule" posted on the Countdown site. Visit your school’s Welcome Session with your child as an important part of the kindergarten transition process, and to learn about your new school!
Step 2: Get Ready for School
JUNE-AUGUST
Countdown to Kindergarten will send out a postcard in late May/early June inviting you and your kindergarten to go into your local library to pick up a Kindergarten Readiness Kit, including an “I’m going to kindergarten!” t-shirt, DVD and activity guide. Be sure to check out the free events for kindergarten families around the city, including the neighborhood kindergarten day celebrations and city-wide celebration at the Boston Children’s Museum on Countdown's "Get Ready Activities" page. Also be sure to check out our "10 Ways to Get Ready" bookmark and the "Talk, Read, Play" website, which has readiness resources as well as free and low cost activity suggestions for families with young children in Boston.
Step 1: Start School!
SEPTEMBER
Kindergarten in the Boston Public Schools typically begins the Monday following Labor Day. Check out our helpful "Handbook for Families" to learn what to expect in kindergarten and find out a little more about the curriculum. Be sure to fill out your "Parent Questionairre" and give it to your child's teacher!
Learn About Our Readiness Programs!
