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Early Enrollment opens April 4, 2023
PCSS will conduct the annual Kindergarten and Early Enrollment period for the 2023-24 school year in early April 2023.
In-person Kindergarten registration will be April 11, 2023 and will be held at individual school sites from 1 - 5 p.m.
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New Student Registration
New K-8 Students:
There is a two-step process for either method listed below enrolling new students (K-8) into PCSS schools. High school registration will continue to be handled by individual schools.
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K-8 Online Registration Method- The link for enrollment will be found on the www.pcsstn.com website from April 4 to April 21. Parents/guardians will follow the prompts to complete the enrollment application and to set up an optional account for PowerSchool to fill out school-based forms.
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The first step will be to submit a separate electronic registration form for each new student (K-8) to register in our schools. The link will be active from April 4 through April 21, 2023.
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After submitting the electronic form, the school will contact families to make an appointment to come into the school to submit the required Registration Documents to finalize the enrollment process.
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Paper Form Method- (student enrollment forms can be found at schools or can be picked up at the Central Office)
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The first step will be to obtain and fill out the traditional registration form that can be picked up at your school or the Central Office.
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After submitting the paper form to the appropriate school or the Central Office, the school will contact families to make an appointment to come into the school for the submission of the required Registration Documents to finalize the enrollment process.
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Phone Call Method- (call schools directly to begin the registration process)
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The first step will be to reach out to the appropriate school to set an appointment time to visit and complete the enrollment process.
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After making the appointment, gather and bring the required registration documents to the school at the appointed time. Families will fill out the registration form at the school and finalize the enrollment process.
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Kindergarten Open House
April 11, 2023 1- 5 p.m. at individual school sites.
“At Kindergarten open house, children will have the opportunity to be inside their school, meet teachers and explore their new learning environment before the first day of school beginning July 28, 2023. Caregivers will leave the event with their child enrolled and will have information on the school and district policies, school transportation, before and after school child care and extended day possibilities, and school nutrition information.”
- Dr. Diana Wood, PreK - 4 Instructional Supervisor -
Know your school zone
Please click here to view the approved 2023-24 Priority Zoing Exceptions.
Parents who are unsure of their zoned elementary school can visit “Enrollment Zones” to confirm their zone.
Parents have to enroll their children in their zoned school based on their residential address.
Questions regarding school transportation or school zones should be directed to the Putnam County Schools Transportation Department at 526-9342.
Other questions regarding registering children for Kindergarten may be answered by your family’s zoned school or by calling the PCSS Central Office at 526-9777.
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How old does my child have to be to start Kindergarten?
The state law regarding Kindergarten eligibility has changed. Please read the following carefully:
● Children must be five years of age on or before August 15, 2023.
● Occasionally, caregivers with children who are barely five according to the eligibility age inquire about the possibility of “redshirting” for one year and enrolling them in kindergarten at age five. State law mandates that a child must have attended an approved kindergarten program to be eligible for first grade (TCA 49-6-201) and enrolled in a public or nonpublic school at age six (TCA 49-6-3001).
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What do I bring to registration?
Bring the following with you to register:
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- Birth Certificate
- TN Certification of Immunization
- Physical Examination (conducted during 2022-23 calendar year)
- Two (2) proofs of Putnam County residency: mortgage lease/rental agreement, utility bill, tax statement, voter registration card, or a notarized letter from the renter. Please reference the Priority Zoning Exceptions.
- If necessary, proof of custody if the child does not live with one or both natural parents.
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I can't attend the April 11 open house, what are my options?
No worries. We know that not everyone will be able to attend. Here are three ways you can register:
- The primary way will be for families to use an online option. On the main page is a link to register for school and setting up an optional account for Powerschool will be available. Once the online registration is submitted, schools will contact families to set a time to visit the school site and complete the process in person.
- Pick up a paper-based enrollment form from a school or the Central Office located at 1400 W. Spring St. in Cookeville. Once we receive your completed forms, schools will contact families to set a time to visit the school site and complete the process in person.
- Families can make a phone call to contact the school and establish a time to complete the enrollment process totally in person at the appropriate school.
- The primary way will be for families to use an online option. On the main page is a link to register for school and setting up an optional account for Powerschool will be available. Once the online registration is submitted, schools will contact families to set a time to visit the school site and complete the process in person.
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Should I enroll online or in-person on April 11?
On April 4, pre-enrollment links will be available for any new student K-8 to fill out on this webpage at the top. Take advantage of getting your information submitted sooner and fill that form out.
If you are unable to fill that out prior to April 11, the open house will be a time you can do that as well.
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Priority Zoning Policy 6.205:
Enrollment priorities are as follows: (based on parent/guardian’s residential address)
Priority 1 - Students living outside the zone who were enrolled in the school the previous year and students of full-time Putnam County Schools employees;
Priority 2 - Students living in the zone;
Priority 3 - Students who are siblings of students currently enrolled at the requested school; and
Priority 4 - Students are living outside of the requested school zone.
*All K-12 students currently attending a school outside of their residentially assigned zone may finish at
that respective school to the highest grade level of that building, provided the family furnishes transportation.
*Transportation services can only be provided to students who live in their school zone. Please visit www.pcsstn.com to view the Enrollment Zone Finder 2020-2021 application to view your zoned schools for the upcoming school year.
*Pre-K students are not eligible for Priority 1 status (except children of full-time PCSS employees).
*Recommended Priority Exceptions for the 2023-24 School Year are as follows:
*1. Elementary Schools- These are the enrollment priorities available at the respective schools:
Algood Elementary - 1, 2, 3
Baxter Primary- 1, 2, 3, KL
Burks - 1, 2, 3, KL
Cane Creek- 1, 2, 3, KL
Capshaw- 1, 2, 3, KL
Cornerstone- 1, 2, 3
Jere Whitson- 1, 2
Northeast- 1, 2, 3, KL
Parkview- 1, 2, 3, KL
Prescott- 1, 2
Sycamore- 1, 2, 3, KL
*A Priority 4 Kindergarten Lottery (KL) list will be collected at each eligible site (BPS, Burks, CCES, CES, NES, PVES, and SES) during the April Early Enrollment Period for those families who wish for their Kindergartners to try to enroll at an eligible school. The kindergartner must already have a pending enrollment at their Priority 1, 2, or 3 schools in order to enter the Lottery at a different school. The actual drawing will take place at the school sites at the end of the Early Enrollment Period, and any availability will be based on individual schools' K capacity and ratios.
*In May, a Priority 4 Transfer Request Window/ Lottery (4L) will take place for currently enrolled students in grades K-3 wishing to transfer to grades 1-4 at an eligible school for the 23-24 SY after the Early Enrollment process is completed in April. The Transfer Request Window will take place in May and results will be reported in early June. Before the Window opens, the district will post the available number of seats for transfer requests per eligible school/grade on pcsstn.com once that number is developed, pending compliance with building capacity and student-teacher ratios while maintaining room for growth. If the number of transfer requests for a particular school exceeds the number of posted available seats at that school, a lottery will be conducted to determine the students allowed to transfer. Current enrollment in grades K-3 at priority 1, 2, or 3 schools is required for applicants. More information on this process will be available for families before the Transfer Request Window opens.
*Private transportation must be provided if you attend an out-of-zone school.
*Zoning information for the 2023-24 school year can be found on the Putnam County School System website (www.pcsstn.com).
*2. All Middle and High Schools will have Open Enrollment and accept Priorities 1, 2, 3, and 4 during the Early Enrollment period for new students.
*Transportation must be provided if you attend an out-of-zone school.
*3. Pre-K Students- New applications for the 23/24 School Year will be available on April 3, 2023. Families will complete the aplication, then contact Ms. Diana Nichols to set up an Enrollment Meeting at the Central Office. All instructions will be on the application.
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Current PCSS Students:
Current students will only need to verify their 2023-24 via the online Intent to Return Form link that will be sent out to families from their schools and update only if there are changes to be made. (The online form will replace the paper Data Verification form from the past.)
Families will need to watch for additional information from school principals regarding this process.
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Kindergarten Enrollment
Caregivers of children who will be five on or before August 15, 2023, will want to save the date for in-person Kindergarten registration on Tuesday, Apr. 11, at individual school sites from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
“At Kindergarten open house, children will have the opportunity to be inside their school, meet teachers and explore their new learning environment before the first day of school beginning July 28, 2023. Caregivers will leave the event with their child enrolled and will have information on the school and district policies, school transportation, before and after school child care and extended day possibilities, and school nutrition information.”
- Dr. Diana Wood, PreK - 4 Instructional SupervisorThe state law regarding Kindergarten eligibility has changed. Please read the following carefully:
● Children must be five years of age on or before August 15, 2023.
● Occasionally, caregivers with children who are barely five according to the eligibility age inquire about the possibility of “redshirting” for one year and enrolling them in kindergarten at age five. State law mandates that a child must have attended an approved kindergarten program to be eligible for first grade (TCA 49-6-201) and enrolled in a public or nonpublic school at age six (TCA 49-6-3001).
Caregivers will need to bring the required documentation to their zoned school on Kindergarten Registration Day as a part of the enrollment process.
● Birth Certificate or other acceptable proof of age.
● Two proofs of Putnam County residency (utility bill, lease, homeowners policy, etc.)
● Immunization Record on a Tennessee Certificate of Immunization. State law requires that a complete, up-to-date certificate must be provided to the school before the child can attend.
● In addition, documentation of a physical examination is required within 12 months of the school year state date.
● Any custody verification documentation, if applicable.
● (Optional) Social Security card.
FAQS:
Should I enroll online or in-person on April 11?
On April 4, pre enrollment links will be available for any new student K-8 to fill out. Take advantage of getting your information submitted sooner and fill that form out. If you are unable to fill that our prior to April 11, the open house will be a time you can do that as well.
I can't attend the April 11 open house. What are my options?
No worries. We know that not everyone will be able to attend.- The primary way will be for families to use an online option. Below are links to register for school and set up an optional account for Powerschool will be available. Once the online registration is submitted, schools will contact families to set a time to visit the school site and complete the process in person.
Instructions and registration links: click here: http://bit.ly/B2SENG
Instrucciones y vínculos de registro: haga cliq aquí: http://bit.ly/B2SSPA
- Pick up a paper-based enrollment form from a school or the Central Office located at 1400 W. Spring St. in Cookeville. Once we receive you completed forms, schools will contact families to set a time to visit the school site and complete the process in person.
- Families can make a phone call to contact the school and establish a time to complete the enrollment process totally in person at the appropriate school.
