HAGERSTOWN, MD (January 22, 2018) – Registration dates have been established for incoming kindergarten students to Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) for the 2018-2019 school year. Children who turn five years old on or before September 1, 2018, must be enrolled in kindergarten, according to the State of Maryland. Parents and guardians may register eligible children for kindergarten at any time, but the following dates have been designated as registration days in all elementary schools so that school staff will be prepared to assist parents and guardians with all necessary steps for registration:

• March 12, 2018
• April 23
• May 14
• June 4

The parent/legal guardian must register at the school in the district where he or she lives. The following documents are required when registering a child for kindergarten:

• Birth certificate
• Immunization records
• Health inventory (completed by child’s doctor within a nine-month period before child enters school or within a six-month period after entering school)
• Proof of residency (mortgage/rental agreement, electric or water bill that is current within last three months prior to registration). Telephone bills or driver’s licenses will not be accepted.

To be eligible to apply for pre-kindergarten, a child must be four years old on or before September 1, 2018. The family must live in Washington County and meet income eligibility criteria. All income and age eligible children who apply will be given priority. Applications will be available at all elementary schools and on the WCPS website starting in March 2018. Also in March, updated information regarding any changes or additions to the pre-kindergarten sites will be posted on the WCPS website. For more information about the pre-kindergarten program, follow the Departments & Programs tab to the Early Learning link at www.wcpsmd.com, or call the Early Learning Office at 301-766-8722.