Enrollment FAQ's

New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) operates one of the largest school systems in the state of Connecticut, with many different educational options and alternatives for students at all age levels.   The information below provides general information about Enrollment into New Haven Public Schools.
 
For more information, please contact NHPS' Choice & Enrollment Office.
 
1.  Where is the Choice & Enrollment office and what are the office hours? 
The Choice & Enrollment Office is located on the 1st Floor of the Board of Education Central Offices at 54 Meadow Street, New Haven, CT.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 4:30.  We are here to enroll new students into our schools and to assist parents with enrollment questions.  Contact: 475-220-1430 or 475-220-1431.
  
2.  What do I need to enroll my child for school?   
The required documents are documents which will verify the age and residency of the child.  Acceptable documentation for proof of age includes, but is not limited to, the child’s birth certificate.  Proof of residency documents include a current utility bill (electricity, home phone, gas, or cable bill), a rental lease agreement or mortgage papers in the name of the parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of the school aged child that verifies that the child is a resident of New Haven.  The child’s social security number is optional. 
 
In accordance with Connecticut State law, children MUST have up to date physical examinations and immunization records (in some cases, up to date health records are required for initial placement (i.e. Headstart Pre-K). Before school starts, completed Physical Health and Immunization Records can be delivered to The Bureau of Nursing Office, 54 Meadow Street, 1st Floor.  Please note:  students will not be allowed to attend school if they do not meet their grade level health requirements.

For more information please visit the Health and Wellness section of the website.
 
If the child is transferring from another school or district, please bring all available transcripts and other educational records.
 
3.  Who can register children for school?
The parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of school aged children who resides within the City of New Haven can register children into the New Haven Public School District.
  
4.  Does anyone have guaranteed admission or admission preferences to attend particular NHPS schools?
 Due to the seat limitations, there is no guarantee that any child will be
placed in a particular school. However, the various enrollment processes are designed to both give preference to students residing within the attendance zone of one of their school choices and to those applicants that already have a brother or sister currently attending their school choice at the time of the application.
 
To receive the sibling preference, the brother or sister must also live in the same household and have the same parent or legal guardian as the applicant. If a sibling applicant is not placed due to seat limitations, the preference will carry over for priority on the waiting list in the order of preferences listed below. To receive Attendance Zone preference, whether to a magnet or neighborhood school, the applicant must reside at an address within the attendance zone of the school - a list of New Haven addresses and their corresponding attendance zone is available at left.  
 
5.  If I move between neighborhoods in New Haven, can I keep my student enrolled in their current school, and can my other children enroll with their sibling?
If you move, your child does not have to change schools - they may remain enrolled where they are now.  However, future siblings applying to the school will not receive neighborhood preference.   
 
6.  If I move, how do I change my child’s address?
 In order to change the address of a child, proof of residency documents must be provided which include a current utility bill (electricity, home phone, gas, or cable bill), a rental lease agreement or mortgage papers in the name of the parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of the school aged child that verifies that the child is a resident of New Haven.
 
7.  Can a child use two addresses or a P.O Box for registration? 
No, a child can be registered using only one address and P.O. Boxes may not be used to register a child.

 
 
8.  What happens if my neighborhood school is full?
Your child will be registered to the closest available school and transportation will be provided where applicable.

 
9.  How do I transfer my child to a different school?
Any student wanting a transfer must apply through the School Selection Process beginning in February each year. If that process has passed, visit the Choice & Enrollment office for next steps. 
 
10.  When do 1st – 12th registrations begin each school year?
Registration for 1st- 12th graders begins on July 1 each year.
 
11.  How old does my child have to be for Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten registration?
Children turning 5 on or before January 1, 2020 are eligible for Kindergarten.
Children turning 4 on or before January 1, 2020 are eligible for Pre-K 4.
Children turning 3 on or before January 1, 2020 are eligible for Pre-K 3 .
 
Pre-Kindergarten placements and registrations are only for NHPS Magnet Schools through the Choice & Enrollment School Selection Process.