November starts the application and registration season for Delaware’s public schools, and parents have the option of 19 school districts and 24 charter schools.
The state says that families should begin preparing their children to register for kindergarten the winter before kindergarten begins.
In Delaware, students must be 5 years old by Aug. 31 of the current school year to attend kindergarten. In some cases, school districts may grant exceptions for early entry into kindergarten if they determine that it’s in the best interest of the child — a scenario most likely if your child just misses the cut-off for a given school year.
Parents interested in early entrance should submit a request to their district. From there, districts might request an assessment for a child’s cognitive skills, social and emotional development, physical development and communication to ensure they are prepared for a school environment.
The Department of Education also has a School locator map that can help you find and verify schools of residence. The map also allows residents to find things like school districts or charter schools based on location.
In general, public schools have larger class sizes because they legally can’t turn away eligible students even if they’re beyond class size capacity. Public schools are overseen by their district leadership, including a locally elected school board, and supported by the Delaware Department of Education.
Why should I enroll my child?
Studies have shown that some of the most important skills students learn are at the beginning of the school year, like cooperation, confidence, curiosity, empathy, and communication, among others.
Delaware parents are also required by law to send their children to school, no matter what their schooling choice is.
Parents or legal guardians of students who don’t comply with compulsory school attendance laws can face legal consequences, including fines or possible jail time. School districts are required to file truancy charges once a student has 20 unexcused absences, and children under 12 cannot be charged with truancy.
What are my pre-K options?
While Delaware doesn’t have universal pre-K – or publicly funded preschool for 3 to 5-year-old students – the Department of Education does provide a list of programs that partner with the Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning to provide education to children in their local communities
The State Funded Early Care and Education partners provide services for eligible families of infants, toddlers, and 3 -and 4-year-olds. Families are eligible to apply if their income is equal to or below the federal poverty level, if they have children in foster care, if they’re a family with children experiencing homelessness, and if they’re a family with children with documented delays or disabilities.
The following school districts also have preschool programs: Brandywine, Red Clay Consolidated, Christina, Colonial, Capital, Appoquinimink, and Seaford.
How do I register my child?
In June 2024 the Department of Education began transitioning to a new enrollment system that’s currently in effect for the Milford, Seaford, Smyrna and Woodbridge school districts.
The state’s registration for public schools will open by early November, and parents can register their children as soon as registration is open. Although families can register as soon as it’s open, the child will not be enrolled in the school until the summer prior to their start.
Regardless of whether a family wants to enroll their child in their district’s public school, a choice school, or a charter, they need to complete the state’s standard online registration form with their district of residence.
When registering into the local public school, the following items are needed:
the child’s birth certificate
proof of residency (which typically includes materials like a utility bill from within the last three months, a lease agreement, a property tax bill, or a mortgage statement)
photo ID of parent/guardian
custody documentation (if applicable),
health records including proof of immunization and health examinations (a full list is available on the Delaware Department of Education’s website)
screenings, including proof of a physical exam within the last two years
The post Delaware Explained: How to register for public school appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.