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Register your Child for School

Step 1 – Assess Eligibility and Needs

New Students

Students who have never attended a HCPSS school must be registered by their custodial parent (biological, adoptive, legal guardian).

New Kindergarten Students

Children must be 5 years old by September 1 in order to enroll in kindergarten. Every child who is 5 years old by September 1 must be enrolled in a kindergarten program this fall or have an approved waiver.

More information about registering a Kindergarten student →

New Prekindergarten Students

HCPSS offers a high-quality, half- or full-day pre-k programs at selected sites. Students must be four years old on or before September 1 to be considered for the program. Unlike enrollment for K-12, parents must first apply and be accepted into the program before beginning online registration.

Learn more about prekindergarten program →

Seeking Early Admission?

The early admission process is designed for students who are born between September 2 – October 13 and are seeking enrollment to school one year early.

Learn more about Early Admission to see if your child qualifies →

Current Students

Current HCPSS enrolled students moving between schools within the system

Current HCPSS prekindergarten students do not need to be re-registered for kindergarten because they are already enrolled as an HCPSS student.

A group of diverse elementary school students arms link together and standing on the blacktop.

Students who need ESOL services or parents who need language support should contact the Multilingual Family Registration Center at 410-313-1297.

Step 2 – Find Your School

Parents must live in the attendance area of the school where they plan to enroll their student. Use our School Locator tool to find and verify your school and attendance area.

Step 3 – Gather Documentation

Having all your documentation prepared in advance of registration will keep the process moving quickly. If you have a change of address, please notify your school and complete the Change of Address form.

Student Identification Documentation

  • Student’s evidence of birth (birth certificate, passport/visa, physician’s certificate, baptismal or church certification, hospital certificate, parent/s affidavit or birth registration.)
  • Proof of parental relationship, custody, or guardianship. If applicable, bring legal proof of custody (court order).
  • Any additional paperwork that may be necessary due to special living arrangements or circumstances.

Academic Documentation

  • Student’s most recent grade report, transcript, report card from last school attended at time of withdrawal.
  • Documentation of Special Education (IEP), 504, Psychological Report, or related services.

Parent Identification Documentation

  • Parent picture ID: driver’s license, passport, MVA identification or other legal form of photographic identification.
  • Signed original, current complete lease or complete deed with your address, valid dates, signatures.
  • Current utility bill with name and address (non-cellular telephone, gas and electric, cable bill issued in the last 45 days.)

Health Documentation

  • A physical exam form is required for students who have never attended a Maryland Public School, including Prekindergarten and Kindergarten.
  • An immunization form is required for students who have never attended a Maryland Public School, including Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. Proof of immunizations from a Maryland school outside of Howard County can also be used.

Additional health information/forms for students who have never attended a Howard County public school is available online.

Step 4 – Begin Registration Process

To register your child, complete the online registration by clicking the green “Begin Online Registration” button below. While completing the online registration form, you can also upload the required documents.

Begin Online Registration

After clicking on the green Begin Registration Process button above, please be sure to select the correct school year in the registration portal.

Guide to Online Registration for New Students

Kindergarten

Parents/guardians of children who were five as of September 1, 2024, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.

To register your child for kindergarten, please complete the online registration by selecting the green “Begin Online Registration” button to the left. While completing the online registration form, you can also upload the required documents.

Prekindergarten

Before you can begin the online registration process for the pre-k program, please make sure that you have completed the HCPSS Pre-K Application. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year. Famililes accepted into the HCPSS Pre-K program will receive an official acceptance letter. This letter is a required piece of the online registration process and should also be used as a point of reference when making pre-k program selections throughout the online registration process.

Learn more about the HCPSS Pre-K program →

Step 5 – Finalize Registration and Meet Your New School

After completing the registration process online, a staff member from your child’s school will contact you in the near future to schedule an appointment to complete your child’s enrollment. At this appointment, you must provide the school with your government issued photo ID and any required documents that were not submitted during the online registration process.