Countywide Kindergarten Enrollment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 1, 2025

Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32178
Dr. Joseph Beavers, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, 301-475-5511, ext. 32135

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary's County Public Schools (SMCPS) is pleased to announce registration for Kindergarten for the 2025–2026 school year. All schools will hold open registration beginning Monday, May 5, 2025, which will continue throughout the summer. 

Parents of children who will be five years old by September 1, 2025, should register at the school assigned to their physical address during the open enrollment period.

Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) may go to the school assigned to their legal address to complete the registration paperwork.  Children are not required to be present for registration.  Required documentation includes evidence of birth, proof of residency, a copy of the child’s immunization record, and any court papers regarding custody of the minor child.  Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) must also bring photo identification when registering their child.

Each elementary school will conduct open enrollment for the children residing in its zone. Information regarding which school serves your residential area is provided by the Department of Capital Planning at SMCPS - Find a School by your address or 301-475-4256, option 6.  You do not need to make an appointment to register a child. 

Documentation that indicates the current physical address of the child will be accepted as proof of residence. Proof of residence will include, but is not limited to, one of the following:

a.      Mortgage/deed/rental agreement with 911 address assignment;

b.      Current utility bill with parent/legal guardian name,  911 address of
         residence, and service address (post office box is not acceptable;
         wireless phone bills are not acceptable); and

c.       Patuxent River Naval Base housing lease agreement or other official
          housing documentation as provided through the Private-Public
          Venture Housing/Military Housing Privatization Initiative, which 
          identifies bona fide residence in St. Mary's County.

Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) not intending to register an appropriately aged child for kindergarten must obtain a waiver from the St. Mary's County Public Schools Department of Student Services. It is not necessary for children enrolled in Head Start or Pre-Kindergarten in the public schools to register again.

Additional Kindergarten information can be found at SMCPS - Kindergarten Registration

Additional Early Entrance to Kindergarten Information can be found at SMCPS Early Entrance to Kindergarten

Questions about Kindergarten Registration may be directed to Kate Weaver, Supervisor of Student Services, at 301-475-5511, ext.32150.

Questions about Early Entrance to Kindergarten may be directed to Cortney Dvorak, Supervisor of Instruction/Elementary Programs at 301-475-5511, ext. 32101.