Every year, thousands of parents ask what they must do to enroll their children in Kentucky's public schools. This section of our website answers parents' most frequently asked questions. It is always best to visit your local school and ask these questions directly. Most schools have their enrollment requirements available as a handout for parents. We also encourage parents to visit the school - with their children - prior to the first day of school.
Q. At what age are children required to enter school?
A. In Kentucky, all children must be enrolled in and attend school between the ages of 6 and 18. See KRS 159.010. KRS 158.030 establishes the date of entry as August 1. A child who is 6 years old or who turns 6 by August 1, must attend a public school. A child who is 5 years old or who will turn 5 by August 1 may also attend a public school.
Public schools may also enroll underage students in kindergarten who do not meet the above age requirements. See KRS 158.030 and 702 KAR 7:125, Section 6. Please contact the school directly for information regarding enrolling underage students.
Q. At what age, and using what criteria, are children eligible for the preschool program?
A. Preschool programs are available to 4-year-old children who are "at risk" meaning they are eligible for state-funded preschool if they live in a household with income up to 160% of the federal poverty level. Preschool also is available for 3- and 4-year-old children with disabilities. Enrollment of a child in the preschool program is at the discretion of the parent or legal guardian. For more information about the preschool offerings in your district, or to see if your child is eligible, it is best to contact your local school district directly.
For general information on preschool, visit the
Early
Learning webpage or contact the School Readiness Branch at schoolreadinessbranch@education.ky.gov
Q. What documentation do I need to provide when registering my child in school?
A.
A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate; or other reliable proof of the child’s identity and age along with an affidavit of the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate. See KRS 158.032.
A current certificate of immunization. See KRS 158.035 and 702 KAR 1:160.
A preventive health care examination conducted within one (1) year prior to initial entry into school. See 702 KAR 1:160.
A vision examination for students that are ages 3-6. See 702 KAR 1:160.
A dental screening or examination for students that are ages 5-6. See 702 KAR 1:160.
The forms required for the preventive health care examination, vision examination, and dental screening or examination can be found on KDE’s website.
Q. What immunizations are required?A. For information on the Kentucky Immunization Program, call (502) 564-4478 or visit the Immunization Program webpage.
Q. How do I prove my child was immunized?
A. A current immunization certificate must be on file at the school within two weeks of the child's enrollment.
Q. Is an eye exam required?A. All children between the ages 3 and 6 who are entering public preschool, Head Start or public school for the first time must have an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist no later than January 1 of the school year.
Q. What are the requirements regarding the preventive health care (physical) examination?A. Each child needs a preventive health care examination within six months prior to the child's initial admission to Head Start. A second examination is required within one year prior to entry into the 6th grade. A third examination may be required by policy of the local board of education within one year prior to entry into the 9th grade or initial admission to school.
A cumulative health record is maintained by the school for each pupil entering school. The record will be maintained throughout the pupil's attendance. The record will include the preventive health care examination and screening tests related to growth and development, vision, hearing, and scoliosis, and findings and recommendations of a physician and a dentist.
Students who transfer from out of state also must provide documentation of a preventive healthcare examination.
Q. What are the requirements for home schooling?
A. Parents may choose to educate their children at home, or in another form of private school, in lieu of compulsory attendance at a public school. Homeschools are considered unaccredited private schools in Kentucky and are not recognized by the Kentucky Board of Education due to their lack of accreditation.
The person/parent administering the school is to send a letter to the superintendent of the public school district notifying the district that child will be in a homeschool (KRS 159.030). The private school/parent is to maintain regular scholarship progress reports and attendance records (KRS 159.040); however, there is not a requirement that these reports be sent to the Kentucky Department of Education or to the local school district. Pursuant to KRS 159.040, “[s]uch schools shall at all times be open to inspection by directors of pupil personnel and officials of the Department of Education.”
Although the director of pupil personnel does not have the authority to dictate or evaluate the methods or theories chosen for instruction, that individual can require the homeschool, like any private school in the district, to provide evidence that it is offering thorough instruction in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools in this state.
If a director of pupil personnel believes that a homeschool is not meeting the requirements placed on homeschools, then that individual should report these cases of educational neglect to the local Department for Community Based Service.
Alternatively, in a situation where a director of pupil personnel questions the value of the educational services provided in a homeschool, that individual may wish to encourage the parents and the student to rethink enrolling the child in the public schools or in an accredited private school.
Although attendance in a homeschool will satisfy the compulsory attendance statutes, graduation from one may not provide an individual with a diploma that most employers or postsecondary institutions will recognize. Homeschool graduates may have to provide proof of mastery of knowledge expected of a high school graduate. This additional requirement may take the form of a General Education Diploma requirement or from an additional testing requirement from an employer or postsecondary institution.
For more information, contact your local school district. For general information about home schooling in Kentucky, please visit the
Homeschool webpage or contact Amanda Reifsnyder at
(502) 564-3791.
Q. What do I need to know about non-public schools in Kentucky?
A. Kentucky has numerous high-quality non-public schools, each of which determines its own curriculum and extra-curricular offerings. Although non-public schools are not required to be accredited or certified to be considered legal schools, their oversight is the responsibility of each local school district or a governing body such as a diocese. The Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission, a non-profit organization that represents the non-public school community, offers advice and assistance to non-public schools and parents seeking non-public schools. You can reach the commission at (502) 783-6389.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For Enrollment Requirements: Contact Ronda Devine at (502) 564-3930 Ext. 4444.