Enrollment, Transfer & Student Records

Student Enrollment and Student Transfers

Mandatory enrollment and regular attendance are required of all children, ages five to 16 years of age. State law allows for two possible exemptions: a one-year “level of maturity” waiver if the parent believes that a delay in school attendance is in the best interest of the child, and an exemption for five-year olds enrolled in a full-time licensed child care center, full-time registered day-care home, or part-time or full-time Head Start program.

Note: Parents interested in a waiver for Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten must contact the Office of Early Learning at 443-984-3752 before July 1 of each school year.

The following are helpful points from the Office of Student Placement for enrolling and transferring students.

Point 1 - Age Requirements: For children entering prekindergarten, kindergarten or first grade:
a. Pre-kindergarten: Children entering Pre-kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year must be four years old by September 1, 2009.
b. Kindergarten: Children entering kindergarten should be at least five years of age by September 1, 2009. Baltimore City Public Schools is expected to comply with the state law concerning mandatory kindergarten. The law lowered the minimum age for compulsory school attendance to five years of age and requires that children attend kindergarten before entering the first grade.
Questions regarding prekindergarten and mandatory kindergarten may be directed to the Office of Early Learning at 443-984-3752.

Point 2 - Registration:

Elementary or middle school: Register at your zoned school. Your zoned school is based on your legal residence, which is usually the address of the parent or legal guardian. If you don’t know your zoned school, click here or call or visit the Office of Student Placement at 410-396-8600.
High school: Students may register at their attendance zone school based on legal residence. Because we are a school district of choice, students may also choose to come to the Office of Student Placement to enroll in any high school with available seats in the City.
For other inquiries regarding charter schools, please contact the Office of Student Placement or the charter school directly. Click here to see charter, innovation and transformation schools.

To ensure compliance with state rated capacity guidelines, moratorium assignments may need to be enforced for schools meeting and exceeding state regulated enrollment. Thus, students zoned to attend a school with a moratorium may require reassignment to another Baltimore City public school.

Point 3 - Address Documentation: Proof of address in Baltimore City must include at least two of the following: gas, electric, water, or telephone bill; rent receipt; bank statement; or verifiable lease agreement. The documentation must have the parent or legal guardian’s name imprinted. The parent or legal guardian must present this documentation to the zoned school. Any exceptions must be addressed by the Office of Student Placement, 410-396-8600.

Point 4 - Birth Certificate: The parent or legal guardian must bring an original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate at the time he/she is scheduled for registration and/or Title I screening.

Point 5 - Immunization Record: Maryland State immunization regulations require that children who are starting school have the appropriate immunization shots. For each new entrant, a Maryland Immunization Certificate, Form 896, is required by law so that immunization information may be recorded in the school file. Children will not be enrolled in school unless they have had the required immunization shots.

Point 6 - Maryland Student Record Card: The appropriate card must be completed for each new entrant, regardless of grade level. The card records information about the student’s instructional program and related services.

Point 7 - Transfers: The parent or legal guardian of any elementary or secondary school student may request a transfer to an out-of-zone school from the current school by completing a “Student Transfer Application,” which is available at the student’s current school or on our website at www.baltimorecityschools.org. Such transfers are the result of, but are not limited to, child care arrangements, caretaker situations, hardships, or other reasons. The school or parent/guardian sends or delivers the application to the Office of Student Placement (200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21202) and the Office of Student Placement notifies the parent or legal guardian and the sending and receiving school principal in writing of the student’s school assignment. The student should remain at the current school until the parent or legal guardian receives written notification of the transfer decision. (Note: Change of address transfers may be handled between the current zoned school principal and the new zoned school principal at any time during the school year.)

The Office of Student Placement is available to assist you with any issues regarding enrollment and transfer. You may call 410-396-8600 if you have questions. You are also welcome to walk in for services during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For additional information regarding our New/Innovation/Charter schools, please go to the following website:
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/School Info/Charter Schools.asp