Enrollment Information

Attendance areas
Enrollment procedures
Enrollment Form
Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten
Grades 1-12
Student immunization & health records
Student Information Card
Restricted schools
More information about Frederick County Public Schools

Attendance Areas

Students are assigned to schools based on the location of their homes. Click here to view FCPS attendance areas.

Children who attend a child care center may attend the school that serves the center unless that school is restricted to out-of-district students due to overcrowding. For a list of schools restricted due to overcrowding, call 301-644-5238.

For more information about attendance areas, contact the FCPS Facilities Services Division, 301-644-5025.

Enrollment Procedures

FCPS provides free public education to eligible Frederick County students age 5 through 20 and also to qualifying pre-school children.

To register a child, you will need the child's

* immunization record
* proof of date of birth
* proof of residency

The following documents can be submitted as evidence of date of birth:

* birth certificate
* physician's certificate
* hospital certificate
* baptismal or church certification
* parent's affidavit
* passport/visa

The following documents may be used to provide proof of bona fide residency:

* current property tax bill
* current rental bill
* current utility bill

When the child does not live in a home owned or leased by the parent/guardian, the owner/leaser must provide the following to verify the parent/guardian and child reside
at that address:

* a signed, notarized affidavit
* a copy of a current property tax bill, rental bill or utility bill to provide proof of residency

To register a student, visit the office of the school your child will attend. If you are unsure which schools serve your neighborhood or childcare center, click on attendance area boundaries.

FCPS Regulation 400-7 provides further information, including a sample enrollment form.

FCPS may obtain discipline and expulsion records when a student transfers from another school system. The superintendent may deny admission to a student who is currently expelled from another school system, for a period of time equal to the expulsion.

For further information, please call your neighborhood school or 301-644-5238.

Kindergarten

Early Entrance to Kindergarten Process Information

Please Note: All information must be in the office of Early Childhood Education no later than May 30th to ensure consideration for early kindergarten entry.

Early Entry to Kindergarten Pamphlet

All FCPS kindergarten programs are full day, most start-
ing at 9 a.m. and dismissing around 3:30 p.m.

To enter kindergarten in August, a child must observe the
5th birthday on or before September 1, 2008. Children enter-
ing first grade must have completed public kindergarten or
have been approved for entry by FCPS. Whenever possible,
parents are encouraged to register their children well in
advance of the first day of school so that schools and teachers
are prepared to accommodate enrollment.

Parents who do not wish to enroll a 5-year-oold in a
kindergarten or other approved program may request a
1-year waiver. At the end of the waiver year, the student
will enter kindergarten rather than first grade. For more
information, contact the Student Services Office.

Pre-Kindergarten

FCPS offers pre-kindergarten programs to all students eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Bus service is pro- vided to those students eligible for transportation under FCPS Policy 441 who live in the attendance area of schools where the classes are offered (designated by an asterisk on page 56).

Parents are responsible for the transportation of students whose walking route is 3 /4 mile or less or who live outside the attendance area of the school where the classes are held. To enter the pre-kindergarten program this school year, a child must observe the 4th birthday on or before September 1, 2007. For the 2008-09 School Year, a child must be 4 on or before September 1, 2008.

Students are selected first on eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Additional factors that increase a child’s risk of not being successful in school may then be consid- ered. Applications are available at all elementary schools, and registration begins the first day of March parent-teacher conferences. Enrollment is limited.

Grades 1-12

Enrollment procedures.
For further information, please call your neighborhood school or 301-644-5238.

Student Immunizations and Health Records

To enroll for the first time, the student must provide verification of immunizations against selected communicable diseases (listed at http://www.edcp.org/html/schoolrequire.html). Students need to have documentation on the FCPS/MSDE health inventory card of a recent physical examination. Pre-k, kindergarten and and first grade students must also provide a completed copy of the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene's Blood Lead Testing Certificate. Lack of these records may delay enrollment or exclude a child from school. School offices have all required health forms and can provide further information.
FCPS suggests another physical examination when the student enters 6th grade, and all students who participate in interscholastic sports must have a physical exam before the sport begins and provide the appropriate form completed by the physician.

Student Information Card

The school office maintains a Student Information Card for every child and refers to it anytime there is a question, concern or emergency. You will want to be sure your child's card is correct and current throughout the year.
The card asks for critical information such as how to contact you in an emergency, a list of medicines the student takes, and allergy and immunization records. Be sure to provide both your home and work numbers plus the name and phone number of your childcare provider or another adult who can be reached in an emergency if you are not available.

Download the Student Information Card

Restricted Schools and Out-of-District Transfers

When a school reaches 100% capacity, it will be restricted from out-of-district transfers.

Click here to read the press release that lists current restricted schools and scroll down to the information.

More Information about Frederick County Public Schools

The first day a student attends one of our schools, he or she will receive a copy of the latest FCPS Calendar Handbook. It answers many of the questions most often asked about our programs, policies and procedures and features calendar information, such as holidays and parent-teacher conference dates. It also includes helpful tips about transportation, meals and other essentials, as well as telephone directory listings. Click here to view the latest FCPS Calendar Handbook on-line.
Information about individual schools is posted on-line: In the "schools" section, click on "school profile" to view. The FCPS annual School Report is also available on-line.
For more information, contact the FCPS Communications Office, 301-696-6900.

Health Records
Accurate health records help the school to evaluate and support students' needs. To enroll a student for the first time, the child must have verification of all state-required immunizations recorded on the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) form 896 and a recent physical examination, as documented on the FCPS/MSDE health inventory card. Pre-k, kindergarten and first grade students must also provide a completed copy of the Maryland DHMH Blood Lead Testing Certificate. Lack of these records may delay enrollment or exclude a child from school. Forms are available at www.fcps.org. School offices also have all required health forms and can provide further information. For assistance in obtaining immunizations or a physical examination, contact the school health staff in your school.

FCPS suggests another physical examination when the student enters 6th grade, and all students who participate in interscholastic sports must have a physical exam before the sport begins (see below).

Interscholastic Sports
To participate in interscholastic sports activities, students must have an annual physical examination between June 1 and the first day of practice (mid-August for fall sports), and also have evidence of medical insurance coverage. See also Insurance.

Insurance
FCPS does not have insurance coverage for students' personal property. Students are responsible for their personal property on the bus, in school and during school activities.
Limited student accident insurance may be purchased through a company that is allowed to offer the program through schools. A football accident policy is also available for students. Before purchasing this insurance, you may wish to consult with your insurance agent to see if policies you already hold provide adequate coverage.

Note that FCPS does not endorse these programs and does not handle claims or associated problems.

The Maryland Children's Health Program offers health insurance for children up to age 19 and pregnant women of any age from low to average income families. Applications are available in school health rooms or by calling the Frederick County Health Department, 301-694-1745.

Out-of-District Transfers
Parents or guardians who want their child to attend a school outside their assigned attendance area must apply by completing the appropriate form, available at all schools or at the FCPS Student Services Office. Approval criteria are stringent. Application for an out-of-district transfer may be made at any time, although the Student Services Office will not begin processing requests for the next school year until February 1. Families will be notified of the decision by mail.
Out-of-district students must reapply for transfer when they move to the next level of schooling (i.e., from elementary to middle school or middle to high school) within the feeder area where they currently attend.

When a school reaches 100% capacity, it will be restricted from out-of-district transfers. FCPS publishes a list of restricted schools annually on February 1. Out-of-district students currently attending a restricted school may remain at that school without reapplying annually, as long as they have approved applications on file in the Student Services Office and their reason for out-of-district status has not changed. The students' sisters or brothers will be permitted to enroll there as well. Other transfer requests will be denied.

Schools continue under the "restricted" designation as long as they are at 100% capacity or greater. Should their enrollments drop below maximum capacity in the fall, they may re-open to out-of-district requests.

Non-Resident Students
Students who come to Frederick County to live with persons other than their parents or legal guardian must apply to attend and may be charged tuition. Students under 18 years of age who are establishing residency by changing guardianship or custody must present a document signed by the court.