At least THREE proofs of residency that meet the BPS Residency Policy
For Kindergarten or Grade 1, the child's original birth certificate (with raised seal) or passport
Up-to-date immunization records (See Introducing the BPS for details)
If using online pre-registration (BPSExpress), the confirmation form

When can I register?

There are several registration periods for families applying for seats in September 2009. The first is for students entering Kindergarten and Grades 6 and 9 (note: Grade 1 is no longer in Round 1), and runs January 5 through February 6, 2009. To avoid long lines, we recommend the following schedule for registering during Round 1:

Visit a Family Resource Center based on the first initial of the parent's last name:

A - I, January 5 – 9, 2009
J - Q, January 12 – 16, 2009
R - Z, January 20 – 23, 2009
Open to all, January 26 – February 6, 2009

Registration for all other grades begins February 11, 2009. See the When to Register page for details. To improve your chances of being assigned to a school of your choice, apply during the earliest registration period for your child’s grade.

Where can I register?

Families new to the Boston Public Schools may register at any of the three Family Resource Centers. Feel free to visit whichever center is most convenient; you are not limited to the center in your zone of residence.

East Zone 1216 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester (behind Burger King) 617-635-8015
North Zone 55 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury (near Roxbury Crossing MBTA) 617-635-9010
West Zone 515 Hyde Park Ave., Roslindale (near Cummins Hwy.) 617-635-8040
Satellite offices are also open in Allston/Brighton and East Boston during limited hours.

What do you accept as proofs of address?

All applicants new to the Boston Public Schools must present several current proofs of Boston residency. For instructions about acceptable proofs of address, read about the district's Residency Policy, or visit a Family Resource Center.

What if I cannot obtain all my proofs of address?

If your circumstances make it impossible for you to provide proof of residency from each of the three columns, consult the staff at the FRC. Bring copies of any proofs of residency you have, and describe the circumstances that prevent you from having the required proofs. Staff will work with you, and if necessary, fill out an application for appeal. All appeal applications are reviewed by the FRC Director and submitted to the Superintendent’s Office.

What if my child is not immunized for medical or religious reasons?

If you have not had your child immunized for health reasons or religious beliefs, present the staff at the Family Resource Center with a signed letter from your physician, religious leader, or the parent stating why your child is not immunized.

How do I apply for a transfer for my child?

If your child is already enrolled in the Boston Public Schools and you want to enroll in a different school next year, you may apply for a transfer. For the best chance of an assignment to one of your schools of choice, apply during the first opportunity for your child's grade level:

Kindergarten, grade 6 and grade 9: Apply during the first registration period.
All other grades: Apply during the second registration period.

You can apply for a transfer in later registration periods, but you will have less chance of assignment to one of your top choices. All transfer requests received within each registration period are processed together.

Families also may apply to change schools during the current school year. Requests received by September 30 will be processed as they are received. Requests received after September 30 will be processed in two batches: mid-November and late January.

Regardless of when you apply, we can’t guarantee your transfer request will be approved.

School Committee policy limits the number of times students may transfer to a different school:

Elementary School: Once per year in kindergarten–grade 5
Middle School: Only once in grades 6–8
High School: Only once in grades 9–12

Are assignments made on a first-come, first-served basis?

No. The Controlled Choice student assignment policy considers a variety of factors when matching students with schools of their choice, including the student’s “priorities” for a given school (such as where he or she lives in relation to the school, and whether or not a sibling already attends), as well as the registration period in which the family applied. All applications received during each of the four registration periods are processed at the same time, and every application receives equal consideration.

What is a random number?

The computer gives each applicant a random number. This number is used to order students who have the same priority to a particular school. The random number can be thought of as a “tiebreaker” among groups of similar students.

Did BPS adopt a new formula to assign students to schools?

Yes. There have been many changes to the school choice process in recent years, including the adoption of a new mathematical formula several years ago to match families with the schools of their choice. The new formula enables parents to list their true choices of schools, in true order of preference, without having to “strategize” about the rank order.

How many schools should I select on my application?

We encourage families to list at least five school choices (more is better) when registering. Be sure to include among your choices a mix of schools that are relatively easier or more difficult to get into. Information about the number of applicants per seat at each school last year is available at Family Resource Centers. Include in your list some schools where your child has one or more priorities, such as living within the walk zone or having a sibling already in the school.

How are assignments determined if there are more applicants than available seats for a particular school?

Assignments are made by computer based on the number of seats available in each grade, in each school, and the number of students who have requested the school. If a school does not have room for every student who selects it as a first choice, the computer assigns students based on certain "priorities" and "random numbers."

What is "walk zone priority"?

Half of the seats in a school are reserved for applicants with "walk zone priority." Students have walk zone priority if they live within 1 mile of an elementary school, within 1.5 miles of a middle school, or within 2 miles of a high school, regardless of zone boundaries. All remaining available seats will be assigned to students from the entire assignment zone, without regard to walk zone priority. There is no "walk zone" priority for citywide elementary, K-8 and middle schools (except for Mission Hill School). Orchard Gardens K-8 School sets aside 75% of its seats for students from the walk zone.

If I have "walk zone priority," does that mean my child is not eligible for transportation?

Not necessarily. The term “walk zone priority” is used for assignment purposes only. The distances between home and school used to determine eligibility for school bus transportation are different than the distances used to determine walk zone priority. When you register your child for school, you will receive a list of schools that are available to you. This list will indicate whether or not you have walk zone priority and/or transportation eligibility for each school.

What if I live near the border between two assignment zones?

If you live near a zone line, you can apply to some schools on either side of the line. Families may apply to any elementary, K-8 or middle school in their “walk zone” (1 mile for elementary, 1.5 miles for middle school), regardless of zone lines. Beyond that distance, families may apply only to schools in their assignment zone.

What is “sibling priority”?

We try to assign children in the same family to the same school, if the family requests it. Sometimes a school does not have room for all the siblings who apply for it; so we can't guarantee sibling assignments. To be eligible for sibling priority, students must reside in the same household with a common parent/guardian. If neither sibling is currently attending, choices must be numbered in the same order on both applications. Sibling information must be provided on the application. IMPORTANT: Be sure to ask for sibling priority the first time you apply!

What happens if my child is not assigned to one of the schools I selected?

State law requires that every child must attend school starting no later than September of the calendar year in which the child turns six years old. If you don't receive one of your school choices, or if you don't return an application for a student age six and older starting a "transition grade," we will assign the child to the school closest to home that has an available seat. You may also visit a Family Resource Center to select additional schools with available seats.

How does my child get placed on a wait list?

If there are more applicants than available seats for any school, we will generate a wait list. Students will be assigned from this wait list if any of the students who were assigned to the school later withdraw from the seat. A student’s placement on a school's wait list is based on the student's priority, indicated choices of schools, random number, and the registration period in which the application was submitted.

Students who are not assigned to their first choice school may be placed on wait lists for up to two of their other choices.
Students who are administratively assigned to grades 1-12 may be placed on wait lists for up to three choices.

How is a student assigned from a wait list?

As seats become available, assignments from the wait list are made automatically until late August*. Starting in September, parents will be provided an opportunity to accept or decline an invitation to be assigned to a school from a wait list. The district contacts parents of students on wait lists through the end of September, and once again for one week following the first and second marking periods. All wait lists for the current school year expire at the end of January.

*To prevent an automatic transfer, if you are content with your child's assigned school please contact a Family Resource Center to have your child's name removed from a wait list.

Is my five-year-old child guaranteed a seat in a Boston Public Schools kindergarten program?

Yes. BPS guarantees a full-day kindergarten seat for every child who will be five years old by September 1. However, if you are not assigned to any of the schools you selected on your application, BPS will not “administratively assign” your 5-year-old student to a school. If your child is not assigned to a K2 program, you may visit any Family Resource Center to make additional choices. In order to improve your chances of receiving a K2 assignment, we urge you to choose at least 5, and preferably more, schools. All students ages 6 and older will be assigned to a school.

How many pre-kindergarten seats are available for 3- and 4-year-old students?

The district is expanding the number of “K1” classrooms for students who will be four years old by September 1. By September 2008, the district will offer more than 2,400 K1 seats for four-year-olds.

Although the BPS guarantees a full-day kindergarten seat for every 5-year-old, there is no guarantee for 4-year-olds. Seats for 3-year-old students in “K0” classrooms also are limited, and not every child who applies in the first round will receive an assignment.

My child already completed K2 outside of BPS but will not be 6 years old by September 1. May I apply for a Grade 1 seat?

No. We are sorry but there are no waivers or exceptions to these age requirements, regardless of your child's previous school experience.

Our family has moved to a different zone. Must my child change schools?

Not necessarily. Students who move to a different zone are eligible to remain at their current school through the highest grade of that school. However, the BPS will not provide transportation to the out-of-zone school. Parents must assume responsibility to deliver and pick-up their child on time, every day. Parents will be asked to sign a waiver if they choose this option.

What is BPS doing to expand the number of K-8 options?

In 1995, BPS offered only three schools or programs that span kindergarten through grade 8. Since then, the district has expanded the number of K-8 offerings using a variety of models. By September 2009, families will have access to 27 K-8 programs throughout the city, and additional schools are considering expansion in the years ahead.

How can I learn more about school options for my child?

Visit the "Choosing Schools" page for more information.

At the annual citywide Showcase of Schools, every school in the district is represented, with principals, staff, students and parents present to describe what each school has to offer.

The best way to learn more about school options for your child is to visit schools. This year, School Preview Time runs from November 3, 2008, to January 23, 2009. During that time, every elementary, K-8, middle and high school in the district will host open houses, school tours and other activities to welcome prospective families.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I register for the Boston Public Schools?