The school year for Alachua County Public School students will begin August 11, but the district is urging parents to register their children now rather than waiting until just before or just after school starts.
The advice is aimed at the families of students who will be entering an Alachua County public school for the first time and those who have moved--or will be moving--to a new school zone within the district. Those students can be registered at their zoned schools during the summer, Mondays through Thursdays, except during the week of June 30, when schools will be closed Thursday and Friday for the July 4th holiday.
“Summer is the best time for families to register,” said Jackie Johnson, the district’s director of communications. “School staff have more time to help families who need assistance, and the wait time is much shorter than it will be as school gets closer.”
Registering early helps schools prepare more effectively for the year ahead. Last-minute registrations make it harder to finalize class schedules, assign teachers, and plan services. They can also lead to delays in students starting class and limit a student's course options, particularly at the middle and high school levels.
Families enrolling a child in an Alachua County public school for the first time should bring the following to their zoned school:
The child's birth certificate
Proof of a recent physical exam
Proof of immunizations
Two proofs of primary residence
While state law requires schools to request a child’s Social Security card, providing it is not mandatory. Records from previous schools are helpful but not required.
Families who have moved to a new zone within the district only need to provide two proofs of residence to enroll at their new zoned school.
Additional information about enrolling in school, including the online registration form, is available at www.sbac.edu/enrollment.
Parents who are unsure which school their child is zoned for or who need further assistance can visit www.sbac.edu/zoning, call the Zoning Office at (352) 955-7700, or email zoning@gm.sbac.edu.