Principal Update
RISE Preschool Registration for the 26/27 School Year
English:
Registration for RISE Preschool will be open January 12th–January 30th, 2026.
To have your child included in the lottery, please be sure to:
- Complete all registration paperwork, and
- Submit a $35 deposit made payable to the Town of Reading during this time.
Payments may be dropped off at:
- Reading Public Schools Central Office, or
- RISE Preschool (both located at 62 Oakland Road, Reading)
The lottery will close at 5:00 PM on January 30th. Families will be notified of the results before February 15.
Registration link will be available soon.
Portuguese:
As inscrições para a pré-escola RISE estarão abertas de 12 a 30 de janeiro de 2026. Para que seu filho(a) seja incluído(a) no sorteio, certifique-se de: Preencher toda a documentação de inscrição e Entregar um depósito de US$ 35, pagável à Prefeitura de Reading, durante esse período.
Os pagamentos podem ser entregues em: Escritório Central das Escolas Públicas de Reading, ou Pré-escola RISE (ambos localizados em 62 Oakland Road, Reading)
O sorteio será encerrado às 17h do dia 30 de janeiro. As famílias serão notificadas dos resultados antes de 15 de fevereiro. O link para inscrição estará disponível em breve.
Spanish:
La inscripción para RISE Preschool estará abierta del 12 al 30 de enero de 2026. Para que su hijo/a participe en el sorteo, asegúrese de: Completar toda la documentación de inscripción, y Presentar un depósito de $35 a nombre del Ayuntamiento de Reading durante este período.
Los pagos se pueden entregar en: Oficina Central de las Escuelas Públicas de Reading, o RISE Preschool (ambas ubicadas en 62 Oakland Road, Reading)
El sorteo cerrará a las 17:00 del 30 de enero. Las familias serán notificadas de los resultados antes del 15 de febrero. El enlace de inscripción estará disponible próximamente.
Registration Packets for Kindergarten 26/27
2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration Packets
Click here to download and complete a 2026-2027 (current school year) Kindergarten Registration Packet! Please note, parents/caregivers are encouraged to complete the packet in its fillable form. Please click here to download a packet in a different language.
To review the Kindergarten Medical Requirements, please click here.
Is your child eligible for kindergarten? To be eligible for kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year, your child must turn five years old by August 31, 2026. If your child was five by August 31, 2025, but did not attend kindergarten, they remain eligible for kindergarten. Your child may be eligible for first grade if they turn six by August 31, 2026.
Click here to sign up for email updates and stay informed about kindergarten registration.
If you have questions at any time, please contact RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us or call us at 781-944-8200.
RISE students transitioning to Kindergarten
Current RISE students Transitioning to Kindergarten
If your child is currently enrolled in the RISE preschool program, you won’t need to complete the full registration process required for new incoming students. Instead, we kindly ask that you complete two forms included with this letter to finalize your enrollment:
Please complete the forms promptly to secure your child’s spot in kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. If you decide not to enroll your child in the Reading Public Schools for kindergarten, please email RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us to let us know. If you have any questions about the process or your child’s transition, there will be a virtual Q & A session on January 7th.
Kindergarten Questions and Answers
2026-2027 Kindergarten Registration FAQ
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ATTENDING KINDERGARTEN:
At what age can my child start kindergarten?
Per school committee policy the ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND GRADE ONE are as follows:
To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools a child must have reached the age of five on or before August 31 of the entering year to enter kindergarten or must have reached the age of six on or before August 31 of the entering year to enter grade one. Under no circumstances will children younger than five be admitted.
If we enroll in full-day kindergarten can we later switch to half-day and vice versa?
We believe parents/caregivers know which kindergarten experience will best suit their family and child. We will work with parents/caregivers to make any program adjustments needed.
Is there tuition assistance for kindergarten?
Yes, families can complete a Free & Reduced application for tuition financial assistance. These forms are typically published by the state in July. When they are available, we will alert families.
Is there tuition for IEP/disability students?
Some students with an IEP may qualify for tuition free kindergarten. This is dependent on the length of day and the services recommended by the IEP team.
What are the school start and release times?
For the half day program, Kindergarten start and end times are as follows:
Monday – Thursday from 8:15 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. and Friday from 8:15 A.M. – 12: 45 P.M.
For the full-day program, Kindergarten start and end times are as follows:
Monday – Thursday from 8:15 A.M. – 2:45 P.M. and Friday from 8:15 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REGISTRATION PACKET/FORMS:
Do the required documents, such as the birth certificate, need to be originals?
No, a scanned or photocopied version is acceptable.
Is there an acceptable list of proof-of-residency documents?
Yes, that list is included in the registration packet.
If I have other students enrolled in Reading Public Schools, do I still need to submit proof of residency?
Yes, we must receive current proof of residency for each student.
What can I expect to receive for communication once I submit the registration packet?
You will receive information from the building principal of your child’s new school in early spring.
Do current RISE students have to complete a registration packet?
No, current RISE students should only complete the Early Childhood Experience Survey and Full Day/Half Day Selection form. These forms can be submitted to RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us or dropped/mailled to the Superintendent’s Office (82 Oakland Road). They can also be shared with Director of RISE, Ms. Alanna Shone.
Can the registration packet be submitted before or after the January 31st Registration Night?
Yes, if you are unable to attend the January 31st Registration Night, please submit your packet and documentation before or after. This information can be mailed or dropped