The next school year doesn't start for many months, but if you have a rising kindergartener, middle schooler or high schooler or are thinking about a change for your current public school student, now is the time to make your decisions.
All of the various public schools in the region present a sometimes dizzying host of options for parents - year-round, modified or traditional calendars, magnet or base. And then there are the various charter schools and private schools to consider that operate on their own. It's an exciting time as I prepare to register my younger daughter for kindergarten. (Cue the tears!).
Right now, many schools are offering tours for parents and families. Registration dates and application deadlines also are fast approaching for some systems for kindergarten and magnet schools.
A word on kindergarten registration: Children must be 5 years by Aug. 31, 2015 to register for kindergarten. Parents also can attempt the
early admission process if you think your four-year-old is ready. You don't have to register your child as soon as registration opens, but it's in your best interest to do so. Schools and PTAs often hold special events for rising kindergartners and their families. The sooner you register your child, the sooner you'll find out about those.
Wake County: This is a busy time at Wake County schools.
All schools - magnet and base - are offering tours this month and in February to prospective families. Those tours include
special open houses at magnet elementary schools on Wednesday and others later this month. Even if you're certain that your student will attend his base school, a tour is a great opportunity to begin to meet the staff, understand how the school works and even connect with other parents who will send their kids there.
Registration for rising kindergartners begins Jan. 15. Parents must go to their child's base school to register even if you plan on applying for a magnet school. In fact, if you are planning to apply to a magnet school, you must register your child at your base school before you submit your magnet application. You'll need to bring
some information with you in order to register your child.
The magnet application process runs Jan. 26 to Feb. 5.
Durham Public Schools: Durham's magnet school application period runs Jan. 12 to Jan. 30. Magnet schools are
holding tours now. Traditional schools also are offering tours. Contact
your base school for details. Registration for kindergarten in Durham typically doesn't begin until March, but the system will have a kindergarten welcome night later this month. I'll update this post once I get the details for that.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools: Registration for the upcoming school year will begin Feb. 2 for all grade levels, including kindergarten. Starting on that date, parents can register their child online on
the system's website.
Johnston County: The public school system, I'm told, hasn't set the date yet for kindergarten registration, but it has been in February or March in past years.
