It’s always a big milestone for parents when their child enters kindergarten. Alachua County’s Kindergarten Roundup makes it easy for parents to enroll their children at their zoned elementary school quickly and efficiently while also allowing parents and children to get comfortable with the school, teachers and classmates.
Alachua County’s Kindergarten Roundup
The 2024 Kindergarten Roundup will take place on April 24 at 2 p.m. at all Alachua County elementary schools. Under state law, a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to start kindergarten. Parents who are unsure of what school their child is zoned for can call the zoning office at (352) 955-7700.
Requirements for starting kindergarten
Before school starts, parents should be prepared to provide their child’s zoned school with multiple documents, including their child’s certified birth certificate, proof of physical exam performed within the last year, immunization records and two proofs of residence in the parent’s name. Examples of proof of residence include lease agreements, property tax statements, utility bills or other documents.
Children entering kindergarten need to have a physical exam the year prior to enrollment and bring an official physical form to their zoned school. They should also bring the Department of Health Form 680 as the required immunization document. Staff at the doctor’s office, clinic or the Alachua County Health Department may fill out the form. Parents will need to have the child’s immunization record in order to obtain the form.
Immunizations required for kindergarten enrollment
- Four or five doses of DTaP
- Four or five doses of IPV
- Two doses of MMR
- Three doses of Hep B
- One dose of Tdap (Tetanus-Diptheria-Acellular Pertussis)
- Two doses of Varicella (Chickenpox)—not required if a health care provider documents the student has already had the disease
For more information about kindergarten enrollment requirements, click here.
What to expect
“It’s always a good idea for incoming students and their families to attend the roundup to see the campus, meet the staff and learn more about their school, so that they’re more familiar and comfortable with it when school starts in the fall,” said Jackie Johnson, former Public Information Officer for Alachua County Public Schools. “Having more students enrolled early also helps the school with planning.”
Parents can start the online registration process for incoming kindergarten students or any new student to the district on April 24 by going to www.sbac.edu/enrollment, according to the ACPS news release.
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