Acceptance into the Norfolk Public Schools pre-kindergarten program is based upon the following requirements:

1. Residency: You must provide proof that you and your child are residents of the city of Norfolk.
2. Age: Your child must be age 3 or 4 by September 30 of the school year for which you are applying to enroll.
3. Program-related eligibility criteria: The Commonwealth of Virginia sets the criteria for prekindergarten admission based upon pre-determined risk factors that may apply to you, your child, and/or your household. In order for your child to qualify for prekindergarten, you must complete a Family Data Sheet indicating all potential risk factors, and you must be prepared to submit required verification documents. For more information, click here . Please submit all inquires to EARLY LEARNING/TITLE 1, at 628-3944. Please note that the Department of Student Support Services does not process requests for pre-kindergarten 3 year and 4 year old students.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR EARLY ENTRANCE

To enter kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old by Sept. 30 of the current school year.  The student and the natural parent or legal guardian must be present during enrollment. 

Students turning 5 years old in Oct., Nov., or Dec. may attend kindergarten on a space-available basis and under the following conditions:

1. Demonstrate readiness
2. Pay a tuition fee
3. Follow Entrance Requirements

Parents interested in consideration for early entrance should submit a letter requesting early entrance to:

Michael Cataldo, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction

800 E. City Hall Avenue, Suite 1102

Norfolk, VA 23510

a. The letter should include the child's name, birth date, and home school.

 Upon receipt of the letter:

1. A response will be forwarded to the parent outlining the conditions upon which an approval might be given (including the tuition requirement amount, enrollment based upon space availability, and readiness testing).

2. Once approved, students may not be enrolled prior to the ninth date of school, in order to determine classroom space availability.

3. At that time, the school will notify the parent of date and time of any readiness testing that may be given.

4. A tuition payment must be made upon acceptance. A payment plan can be arranged by the Department of Student Support Services. This fee cannot be waived or pro-rated.

 Please contact Dr. Michael Cataldo, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction at (757) 628-3818 for assistance.

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Student Support Services does not process requests for pre-kindergarten 3 year and 4 year old students

THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA MANDATES THE FOLLOWING REQUIRMENTS PRIOR TO ENTRANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

• Physical Examination Report – Must indicate that the child has received a comprehensive physical examination within twelve months prior to the date the child first enters public kindergarten or elementary school (K-5).  A second physical is required before kindergarten if attended pre-school.  The school Entrance Health Form, MCH 213F, must be completed by a licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner, or licensed physician’s assistant regarding the child.

Health Information Form/Comprehensive Physical Examination Report/Certification of Immunization

• Immunization Records – Documented proof of adequate immunization with the prescribed number of doses of each vaccine as required by Virginia law.

Minimum Immunization Requirements(Espanol)

Supplemental Guidance for School Vaccines

Religious Exemption 

• Proof of Birth – Official Birth Certificate (photocopy will not meet this requirement) for non-US citizens only, other substantiating documents are accepted.

• Proof of Residence – Only 1 item is required from the list below (DMV identification card or driver’s license is not an acceptable form of address verification)

Current Utility Bill – Power, gas, water or sanitation bill must list the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) name and the address of residence.

or

Mortgage Statement or Current Lease – must list the name and contact information of the landlord, address of property, date of occupancy or current date, amount of rent paid, renter’s name (parent(s)/legal guardian(s), and contact information on company letterhead. (Please contact the school for further assistance, as needed.)

It is a Class 4 misdemeanor for knowingly making a false statement concerning the residency of a child in a particular school division or school attendance zone if the purpose is to avoid tuition or to enroll a student in a school outside the attendance zone in which the student resides.

• Expulsion Statement – The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) must provide a sworn statement indicating if the child has been expelled from attending a private school or another public school in Virginia or a school in another state for an offense involving weapons, alcohol or drugs, or for willful infliction of injury to another person. In addition an affirmation indicating whether the student has been found guilty of or adjudicated delinquent for any offense listed in subsection G of § 16.1-260 of the Code of Virginia or any substantially similar offense under the laws of any state, the District of Columbia, or the United States or its territories.

Affirmation Regarding Expulstion Form A -216-A

• Custody or Court order (if applicable) – Not required of natural parent if the student is living with him/her unless there is an order in place contrary.

-Special Power of Attorney executed under Title 10, United States Code, § 1044b, by the custodial parent is only accepted for students with a parent or parents in the military, if the student is living with a noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis, not solely for school purposes.

Students in Foster Care – A student who has been placed in foster care by a local social services agency shall be immediately enrolled even if the placing social services agency is unable to produce the documents required for enrollment. In such cases, the person enrolling the student must provide a written statement that, to the best of his/her knowledge, sets forth the student’s age, and indicates that the student is in good health and is free from communicable or contagious disease.   

Homeless Students - Homeless students must be enrolled immediately.  Attendance cannot be excluded for homeless children who do not provide the requisite health or immunization information required of other students.  Please contact Marquita Sykes, Early Learning/Title 1 at 628-3944, or the zoned school for details.

KP. Parent Involvement in Education

The custodial parent has the responsibility to:

1. Keep the school office informed as to the address of residence and how he or she may be contacted at all times.
2. On the Norfolk schools registration form, list the current address and phone number of the noncustodial parent, unless such address is unknown and the parent signs a statement to that effect, or unless a court order restricts the educational and/or contact rights of the parent.
3. Provide a copy of any legal document which restricts the educational or contact rights of the noncustodial parent.

The noncustodial parent has the responsibility to keep the school office apprized of changes in his or her current phone number and address.  Further, the noncustodial parent may make timely requests to participate in parent-teacher conferences.