Kindergarten

Kindergarten (K2)

K2 Kindergarten is a six-hour (full-day) program for 5-year-olds and is provided in all BPS elementary schools and early learning centers. K2 programs are a critical part of a child's early school success. School assignment is guaranteed for all children who apply for K2. However, due to space constraints, including the reality that most K1 students moving up into K2 seats in their same school, an assignment cannot be guaranteed to a specific school. Please be sure to inquire during School Choice season about the number of open seats anticipated, and please register in the month of January for the best chance at securing an assignment in a school of your choosing. This is called Round One registration. To register for K2, children must be 5-years old on or before September 1 of the school year for which they are registering. Visit the Welcome Services Registration webpage to learn more about school registration.

Get ready for your "Countdown to Kindergarten"

Countdown to Kindergarten is a partnership BPS leads with the City of Boston, and many community organizations, which aims to provide a positive and supportive transition into BPS kindergarten (K0, K1 or K2) for students and their families. The initiative offers free parent-child playgroups, provides readiness tips and opportunities, and hosts workshops and other transition activities. Pick up copies of their publications, available in many languages, at any Welcome Center, call 617-635-9288, visit their Facebook page, or explore their website: www.countdowntokindergarten.org

Important UPK Notes

• All kindergarten students are guaranteed a seat in their program through the highest grade offered in their assigned school, following the guidelines of our student assignment plan.
• Exceptions cannot be made to our entry age policy, regardless of the child’s previous school experience.
• State law states each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which the child turns six-years old.
• Suppose you need a program for your three- or four-year-old. In that case, you are encouraged to explore the new Great Starts registration tool, a collaboration with the BPS, the City of Boston, and community-based early childhood programs, designed to support Boston PreK in the city of Boston. While Pre-K programming in BPS has expanded in recent years, assignment in one of our schools cannot be guaranteed.