Frequently Asked Questions about Enrollment

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

Your child needs to be 4 by September 1st.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.