General Enrollment

Q: I want to register my child for kindergarten. How old does my child need to be?

A: Your child needs to be 5 years old by September 1st.

Q: I want to register my child for pre-kindergarten. How old does my child need to be?

A: Your child needs to be 4 by September 1st.

Q: My child is currently in an LPS pre-k program. Do I need to register them for kindergarten?

A: Yes.  All children must be enrolled for kindergarten at the Family Resource Center.

Q: My child is moving up to middle school next year. Do I need to enroll them again?

A: No.  Once you are enrolled in Lowell Public Schools, you do not have to re-enroll.

Kindergarten Lottery

Q: What are lottery schools?

A: There are no schools specifically named as lottery schools. A school becomes a lottery school only when the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats after the deadline of the first lottery. Schools are not identified as lottery schools until all registrations submitted by the deadline for the first lottery have been reviewed and accepted.

Q: If my first-choice school becomes a lottery school, but it is not in my zone, will I be included in the lottery?

A: No, a school is a lottery school due to limited seats for students living within the school’s zone. Students living outside their zone are not eligible to be included in the lottery. A FRC staff member will contact you to inform and advise you on your options before the lottery day.

Q: Will my child receive sibling preference in the kindergarten lottery if he or she has a sibling at my school of choice, if the school is outside of my zone?

A: No, in order to be given sibling preference in the kindergarten lottery, the school in question must be located within the zone in which you reside. Sibling preference only applies if the school is in your zone.

Q: In the kindergarten lottery, if I do not receive my first choice school, do I automatically receive a seat at my second choice school?

A: No, you will be contacted by the FRC staff member and be advised on your options. If your second or third choice school is a lottery school, then you may be entered into the next lottery for that school, if you desire. Alternatively, you may select a non-lottery school for placement. However, you can only be in the lottery for one school at a time.

Q: If I submit the registration after the deadline for the first lottery, am I guaranteed a seat at my first-choice school if it is not a lottery school?

A: No, submitting your registration after the deadline for the first lottery reduces your chances of getting your first-choice school, even if it is not a lottery school.

Q: If my child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), does that affect their placement?

A: No, this will not impact placement unless the special education department determines that your child needs special placement to meet their IEP requirements.

Q: If my child is currently in pre-k in Lowell public schools, does that guarantee them a spot at that school for kindergarten? 

A: No, pre-k placement does not give preference for kindergarten school assignment. Pre-k school placement is only for a year.

Q: Can I choose a school outside my zone if I can provide transportation? 

A: Yes, if the school is not a lottery school. However, you will forfeit sibling preference for younger children if you choose to do this. 

Transfer Request (Grade 1-8)

Q: I submitted a transfer request for the current school year and did not get a seat. Am I on the waitlist for the upcoming year?

A: No, the waitlist closes after the 20th day of the current school year, you must reapply for the upcoming school year. The transfer request window opens on February 1st each year.

Q: When will I be notified of the status of my transfer request? How long is the submission window?

A: The family resource center starts reviewing the transfer requests at the end of each school year. Requests are reviewed and approved through the 20th day of the current school year, depending on seat availability.