Applying to an Elementary School

The month of February is the application period for:

Students who will enter kindergarten at the start of the next school year (Click here for more information for students who haven't attended a JCPS school before.)
Current kindergarten students
Older students who are entering a JCPS school for the first time
Older students who want to apply to a magnet school, a magnet or optional program, or another school in their elementary cluster (Click here for basic information on these choices.)

To enroll as kindergarten student, a child must be 5 years old on or before October 1. To enter first grade, a child must be 6 years old on or before October 1, and the child must have completed an accredited kindergarten program.

The Elementary Student Assignment Application is available at all JCPS elementary schools during February. If you're new to the district, you may apply after the application period, but placement will depend on available openings.

On the elementary application, you'll be able to choose and rank your preferences for four schools-two from Area A and two from Area B in your elementary cluster. (Each elementary school is designated an Area A school or an Area B school based on neighborhood demographics. JCPS assigns students from both areas to all schools, which helps ensure diversity in school communities throughout the district. To read a PDF document about student assignment policy, click here.)

If you're applying to an elementary magnet school or a magnet or optional program, you'll need to submit a copy of your application to the JCPS Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs Office. This office will confirm that it has received your application form by mailing you a postcard. If you don't get the postcard within three weeks after you submit your form, call the office at (502) 485-3323. Schools begin mailing acceptance letters in March. (The date varies by school.) All students will be assigned to a school for the next school year before the end of the current school year.

Please note:

Submitting an application doesn't guarantee placement in a school or program.
Schools don't keep waiting lists.
Don't submit more than one application. If you do, the second one will cancel the first, which could jeopardize acceptance into a school or program.
Submitting false information will void an application.
Although the application form lets you list a first and a second choice, don't list a traditional school or the Brown School as a second choice. If there is limited space in these schools, they use a random drawing to determine which students will be accepted. Students will be included in the drawing only if they choose the program or school as their first choice.

Choices!: The Guide to Jefferson County Public Schools provides detailed information on all schools, clusters, and magnet and optional programs.

Need more information on the application process?

Call your child's school or one of the following:

Parent Assistance Center: (502) 485-6250 or (502) 485-6771
Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs Office: (502) 485-3323
Elementary Student Assignment Office: (502) 485-3802