A couple of years ago, I learned that Zoe would have to go to TK because she wouldn’t be five by the new CMS cutoff of August 31. I felt that she would be ready to hit the big school this year, but I have to admit, another year of preschool has been great. But now the time has come for us to start thinking about next year and the big transistion to kindergarten.
We are blessed to live in a neighborhood with a wonderful elementary school that we can walk to. We plan to visit open houses for several schools just to check out all of the options available in Charlotte. And like Tracy S. did last year, I had some of the same questions about the process and types of schools available. What is the choice porgram all about? What about magnet schools? And will Zoe automatically be in enrolled in our neighborhood school in the fall?
The CMS website has information on enrollment and provided the following key dates for fall:
New students may begin enrolling for the 2010-11 school year: October 5, 2009
Last day for new students to enroll and be eligible for the First Magnet Lottery: December 14, 2009
Lottery Instruction letters begin arriving in homes: First week of January, 2010
Application period for the first lottery: January 8, 2010 – February 8, 2010 at 10:00pm
Most schools in Charlotte hold their open houses in October. I called for our neighborhood school to get the date and time. There is not a master list for CMS, but you can check out each school’s website
For Private Schools, this is what I found out:
Charlotte Country Day — JK and K Oct 6 at 7:00 pm and Oct 20 at 7:00
Charlotte Christian — Oct 1 at 9:30a, Oct 16 at 9:30a, and Oct 28 at 9:30a
Charlotte Jewish Day – No set schedule, call ahead and make appointment
Charlotte Latin School — TK – K Oct 8 at 7p and TK-grade 12 Oct 22 at 9:30a
Charlotte Montessori — October 3rd
Charlotte Preparatory School — Oct 15th at 7p, Nov 8th at 2:00pm and Jan 12 at 9:30a
Covenant Day — Oct 21 at 9:30
Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools — Oct 18 from 1:30-3:30p and Oct 20 from 9a-noon (at each individual school)
Providence Day — Oct 19 at 7p, Nov 1 at 2p, and Nov 11 at 9:30a
Trinity Episcopal School — Oct 13 at 7p and Oct 27 at 12 p
If you think you might be interested in a magnet program click here
Also keep in mind that you will need the following for registration:
– A child entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before August 31, 2010.
– You will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate with the original seal and proof of residency in order to register your child.
– Immunization Requirements must be met.
Best of luck to everyone who is preparing for Kindergarten next year!
6 comments
BTW, the Aug. 31 age cutoff requirement isn't CMS, it's a North Carolina policy.
Thanks for making my research so easy for me!
My daughter was just 8 days past the cut-off date to enter kindergarten so we had to wait another year. I was a little disappointed that she wouldn't move forward with the friends she had grown close to in preschool. She is now in second grade and is doing wonderful. She has proven to be the most mature/confident student in her classes and is always willing to help and "mother" the other children. This has seemed to spark an interest in service to others within her. So to Moms that are torn about the cut-off date, this new policy should work out in your child's favor!
Thank you for the information. Do you have similar information for the Lake Norman area? There are som many choices up this way, and Im confused about charter vs. public vs. private vs. Catholic vs. Christian.
Beverly Woods is Nov 12 @ 7 PMMPTS is Oct 21 @ 9:30 AM
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School in Winston-Salem will be hosting an Open House on Thursday, November 5th 2009 from 9am-12pm. Our Lady of Mercy is SACS accredited and enrollment is available for grades Pre-K to 8 for the 2010/2011 school year.