Kindergarten FAQ
What is the age requirement for enrolling in kindergarten?
Children who are five years old on or before September 1st may enter kindergarten in September.
My child’s birthday is after September 1st, can I still enroll my child in kindergarten?
If your child will be 5 years old on or between September 2nd and September 15th of the school year, you may request consideration for early entrance. Please contact Lisa Oliva at the District office: 503-534-2120 or contact us. Children with birthdays after September 15th of the school year are not eligible for enrollment or early admission consideration according to School Board Policy.
When should I register my child for kindergarten?
Online registration is available mid-January each year and is noted on the Registration webpage. Registration forms are dated and time-stamped upon receipt to establish priority for enrolling in the resident school (or participation in the lottery should more students register than space available).
How do I register my child for kindergarten?
Register for kindergarten on the district's Registration webpage. Please direct any enrollment inquiries to your resident school.
What documentation is required to enroll my child?
- A copy of your child’s birth certificate, passport, or some other official record of birth
- Proof of residency (current utility bill, sales agreement for the purchase of a home or rental agreement)
- Completed and signed Oregon Certificate of Immunization Status
- Home Language/Recent Arrivers Survey
- Certification that the student received a dental screening within the previous 12 months
My child is already in pre-k, do I still need to register?
Students who are currently enrolled in an LOSD Pre-Kindergarten program are NOT automatically enrolled in kindergarten. Pre-k students who reside within Lake Oswego may enroll as a new student. Pre-k students who live outside of the Lake Oswego boundary are not eligible for kindergarten enrollment.
Is my child guaranteed enrollment in kindergarten at our resident school?
Kindergarten is capped at 24 students per classroom. In the event that the number of kindergarten registrants exceeds the number of spaces available at your resident school, the school will hold a lottery for applications received by the deadline noted on the Registration & Transfers webpage. Students who are not accepted into their resident school for kindergarten will be assigned a non-resident school (“overflow”) to attend. If your child attends kindergarten at a non-resident school due to insufficient space at your resident school, transportation will be provided (some exceptions may apply). The number of kindergarten classrooms being offered at each school is typically determined in late spring by the District; however, the number of classrooms can change if there is a significant increase in registrations during the summer. Families will be notified of their kindergarten placement during the summer once the number of classrooms has been established and overflow schools have been identified.
If a lottery is necessary, is there a lottery deadline?
Yes. The kindergarten enrollment deadline to be included in the lottery is noted on the Registration & Transfers webpage.
How do I know which school is my child’s resident school?
A student’s resident school is determined by their home address. Please look at the LOSD Boundary Search Tool to search for your child’s school using your home address or contact the District office at 503-534-2000. Students must reside within the school district boundaries for which they attend school. Legal residency is governed by Oregon Revised Statute 339.1333. For school purposes, students are considered residents of the district in which their parents or guardians reside. It is not determined by condominiums, rentals, or businesses that parents own.
We don’t live in Lake Oswego. Can I enroll my child in kindergarten in the Lake Oswego School District?
Please see the Registration & Transfers webpage for current information regarding transfer policies and practices.
Can I enroll my child in a different school in the district other than our resident school?
Parents must register their child at their resident school before applying for a transfer. Please see the Registration & Transfers webpage for current information regarding transfer policies and practices.
How do I enroll my child in language immersion kindergarten?
Please see the Registration & Transfers webpage for current information about applying for our immersion programs.
When will we receive information on the start of school?
Information will be available online on your neighborhood school’s webpage. Each school also provides packets of information on or before the first week of school.
My child is nervous about meeting his/her teacher. Could we meet the teacher before school starts?
Most definitely! Please plan on attending a Meet & Greet which is held at your neighborhood school. Dates and times are determined at each school. This will give you and your child the opportunity to meet their teacher and check out the classroom. Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies as well.
In addition, the Lake Oswego School District offers a Kindergarten Transition Program, an optional, registration-based program to provide additional preparation for new kindergarten students. Find more information and register on your school website under Community Programs, Kindergarten Transition Program. Space is limited; registration opens in March.
What are the school hours?
School doors open in the morning at 8:00 a.m., with the tardy bell ringing at 8:20 a.m. School concludes at 2:40 p.m. with the exception of Thursdays, early release, school concludes at 2:00 p.m. Lunchtimes will be scheduled just before the start of the school year.
Who should I contact about my child’s medical condition(s)?
Please contact Student Services at 503-534-2359, to discuss any medical issues or concerns. Our nurses may develop a health plan for your child that ensures that their teacher and office staff are informed of this important information. Some examples of conditions warranting an individualized health plan are food allergies, asthma, diabetes, cardiac conditions, and seizures.
How do I set up a lunch account so my child can buy hot lunch or milk?
Please see the Nutrition services webpage for current information about setting up a meal account or applying for free and reduced lunch.
If my child is absent, do I need to contact anyone other than their teacher?
Communication is very important, especially when it involves your child’s safety. If your child is going to be absent, please notify the front office at your child’s school. If the attendance secretary has not received a call or email for an absent child, an automated phone call will be generated asking about your child’s attendance status.
If my child rides the bus, does a parent/guardian need to be at the bus stop?
Kindergarteners require a parent or guardian to meet the school bus at drop-off in order for the driver to release the student.