Registration FAQ's
New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) operates one of the largest school systems in the state of Connecticut, with many different educational options and alternatives for students at all age levels. The materials below provide general information about Registration into New Haven Public Schools. You can call the Registration Office at 203-946-7415 or 203-946-8501.
For information on the process for pre-kindergarten & early childhood registration, see the “Early Childhood Registration” tab at left or click here.
For information on the process for kindergarten admission, including pre-registration for students enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs, see the “Kindergarten Registration” tab at left or click here.
For information on admission to Magnet Schools, for any grade level, see the “Magnet School Application” at left or click here.
1. Where is the Registration office and what are the Registration Office hours?
The Registration Office is located on the First Floor of the Board of Education Central Offices at 54 Meadow Street, New Haven, CT. The Registration Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 – 4:30. We are here to register new students into our schools and to assist parents with enrollment questions. Contact: 203-946-7415 or 203-946-8501
2. What do I need to register my child for school?
The required documents are documents which will verify the age and residency of the child. Acceptable documentation for proof of age includes, but is not limited to, the child’s birth certificate (long form). Proof of residency documents include a current utility bill (electricity, home phone, gas, or cable bill), tax bill, a rental lease agreement or mortgage papers in the name of the parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of the school aged child that verifies that the child is a resident of New Haven. The child’s social security number is optional. Note that before they actually enroll in school, according to applicable state laws, children must have up to date physical examinations and immunization records – and in some cases, up to date health records are required for initial placement (i.e. Headstart Pre-K). For more information please visit the Health and Wellness section of the website.
If the child is transferring from another school or district, please bring all available transcripts and other educational records.
3. Who can register children for school?
The parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of school aged children who reside within the City of New Haven can register children into the New Haven Public School District.
4. Does anyone have guaranteed admission or admission preferences to attend particular NHPS schools?
Due to the seat limitations, there is no guarantee that any child will be
placed in a particular school. However, the various enrollment processes are designed to both give preference both to students residing within the attendance zone of one of their school choices and to those applicants that already have a brother or sister currently attending their school choice at the time of the application.
To receive the sibling preference, the brother or sister must also live in the same household and have the same parent or legal guardian as the applicant. If a sibling applicant is not placed due to seat limitations, the preference will carry over for priority on the waiting list in the order of preferences listed below. To receive Attendance Zone preference, whether to a magnet or neighborhood school, the applicant must reside at an address within the attendance zone of the school - a list of New Haven addresses and their corresponding attendance zone is available at left.
5. If I move between neighborhoods in New Haven, can I keep my student enrolled in their current school, and can my other children enroll with their sibling?
If you move, your child does not have to change schools - they may remain enrolled where they are now. However, future siblings applying to the school will not receive neighborhood preference. In addition, The parent may apply for an “Out-of-District” transfer to the previous school per the protocol outlined below in answer #9.
6. If I move, how do I change my child’s address?
In order to change the address of a child, proof of residency documents must be provided which include a current utility bill (electricity, home phone, gas, or cable bill), tax bill, a rental lease agreement or mortgage papers in the name of the parent, legal guardian or person having care and/or control of the school aged child that verifies that the child is a resident of New Haven.
7. Can a child use two addresses or a P.O Box for registration?
No, a child can be registered using only one address, and P.O. Boxes may not be used to register a child.
8. What happens if my neighborhood school is full?
Your child will be registered to another appropriate school and transportation will be provided where applicable
9. How do I transfer my child to a different school?
You need to come to the Registration office between September and December to transfer children from one school to another. Transfers will be granted if space is available at the school the parent requests, with approval by the Director of the School. Parents cannot transfer their children between January 1 and June 30 unless approved by a Director.
10. When do 1st – 12th registrations/transfers begin for the 2013-2014 school year?
Registration and transfers for 1st- 12th graders begins on July 1, 2013.
11. How does the magnet process and other registration intersect? What do I do if my student has been accepted to both a magnet school and another NHPS school?
After the Magnet Lottery is conducted in March each school year, parents are notified by letter of the results of the Magnet Lottery. Students currently enrolled in a New Haven Public School who have been selected into one of the New Haven Magnet Schools will be automatically transferred into the Magnet School. If the magnet seat is not declined by the deadline referenced in the letter, the child will remain registered for the magnet school.
Students not currently enrolled in a New Haven Public School who have been selected into one of the New Haven Magnet Schools must register by the deadline on the letter in order to accept the seat. Failure to register by the deadline will result in the seat being filled from the waiting list.
Parents or guardians of students who choose to decline the Magnet seat must call the Magnet Office to decline the seat by the deadline referenced in the letter. Declined seats will be filled by students on the waiting list.
If a student is not accepted to any Magnet School through the Magnet Lottery process, the parent or guardian must register the student through the regular or roll-over registration procedures as applicable. Being on a waiting list for a Magnet School is not equivalent to registering your child for school.