Principal Update
2025/26 Kindergarten Registration

2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration Begins Soon!

Reading Public Schools will be launching a new online registration platform for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year, which opens on Monday, January 6, 2025 at 7:00pm.

Join us for our Virtual Kindergarten Registration Information Night on January 6, 2025 at 6:00pm via Zoom, where we’ll walk you through the registration process and answer any questions you may have. To make the process easier, we’ll hold two Registration Drop-in Sessions for in-person assistance.

Is your child eligible for kindergarten? To be eligible for kindergarten in the 2025-2026 school year, your child must turn five years old by August 31, 2025. If your child was five by August 31, 2024, 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, 2025.

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 student 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:

  1. Early Childhood Education Experience Survey
  2. Full Day/Half Day Selection Form

Please complete the forms promptly to secure your child’s spot in kindergarten for the 2025-2026 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, join us for our Virtual Kindergarten Registration Information Night on January 6, 2025 at 6:00pm via Zoom.

Registration Packets for Kindergarten 24/25

2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Packets

Click here to download and complete a 2024-2025 (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.

Kindergarten Questions and Answers

2024-2025 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. Kerry Wilcox.

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