Step 5

• Translations and accessibility options are available at the top of the page.

  
  

  • Arabic (العربية): الترجمة وخيارات الوصول في أعلى الصفحة.
  • Simplified Chinese (简体中文): 翻译和无障碍选项在页面顶部。
  • Traditional Chinese (繁體中文): 翻譯和無障礙選項在頁面頂部。
  • Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen): Tradiksyon ak opsyon aksè nan tèt paj la.
  • Hebrew (עברית): תרגום ואפשרויות נגישות בראש העמוד.
  • Japanese (日本語): 翻訳とアクセシビリティのオプションはページ上部にあります。
  • Korean (한국어): 번역 및 접근성 옵션은 페이지 상단에 있습니다.
  • Portuguese (Português): Tradução e opções de acessibilidade no topo da página.
  • Russian (Русский): Перевод и параметры доступности вверху страницы.
  • Spanish (Español): Traducción y opciones de accesibilidad en la parte superior de la página.
  • Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt): Dịch và tùy chọn trợ năng ở đầu trang.

This is intended to help your student’s classroom teacher and school counselor learn more about your student and prepare them for Kindergarten.

Any family that has specific questions or concerns regarding your child’s kindergarten transition may request to meet with the school counselor to discuss your child. If you would like to schedule a time, the Office of Registration & Enrollment will help you facilitate scheduling an appointment.

Beginning in the Spring, school staff may reach out to you with opportunities to learn about your child’s school and classroom. These events typically allow students to become more comfortable being a Kindergartener at their new school. This is also a chance for parent(s) and guardian(s) to meet the school’s leadership team and get a sense of what to expect in September.

Most school-based staff, including nurses and guidance counselors, do not work over the summer. Therefore, if you complete registration after June 2026, you will most likely be unable to schedule these meetings until they return to school in mid-August.

The Public Schools of Brookline has a centralized application process to provide families with financial assistance for school-related fees. Eligibility for financial assistance will be renewed or updated through an annual application process. Financial assistance is available for curriculum-based field trip expenses, School Department Summer Programs, and other fees the school department may charge as a result of curriculum requirements. Financial assistance also includes any PSB student fees or charges for Athletics, Instrumental Music, and other program and field trip fees.

• Click here to access the application for Financial Assistance.

Children need healthy meals to learn. The Public Schools of Brookline offer healthy meals every school day. Your students may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals if your household’s income is within the limits of the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines.

• Click here to access the application for Free and Reduced School Meals.

Before your child begins school in September, the school nurse may contact you and:

• Arrange for any special health care needs or for the administration of any essential medications or procedures that are prescribed during the school day.
  
  
• Confirm that your child’s immunizations are complete and that they are clear to attend school.
  
  
• Request that you provide an updated physical exam report. This is most important for students whose annual pediatric visit occurs after registration.
  
  

If your child has specific health care needs, it is important that you meet with the school nurse before they begin attending school. If you need assistance in scheduling a meeting with the school nurse, the Office of Registration and Enrollment can help you arrange a meeting.

We understand that we are asking you to make important decisions about your child’s education amidst a period of uncertainty. Kindergarten is an important milestone for everyone involved, and our staff is here to support you and your family in this transition.

We strongly encourage all families who plan to start kindergarten in September to enroll. Should you elect to enroll your child in homeschooling, or another year of Preschool/Daycare, or your family’s circumstances change, our office will help coordinate the withdrawal process.

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 1, and the Charles Decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the Public Schools of Brookline recognize and honor the right of parents or guardians to educate their children at home. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) also states that “each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six.”

Families living in Brookline who intend to homeschool children six years or older must register with the Public Schools of Brookline and establish a Home Education Plan with the district.