[MWR Fort Bragg] - NC Enrollment Requirements

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NC Enrollment Requirements

Age Requirements

North Carolina public schools Kindergarten enrollment: Must be five by August 31st
Fort Bragg (DDESS) Schools Kindergarten enrollment: Must be five by September 1st

Vaccinations

DPT/DTaP, DT: 5 doses (if 4th dose is after 4th birthday, 5th dose is not required; DT requires medical exemption)
Polio Vaccine: 4 Doses (or doses if at least 1 is given after 4th birthday)
MMR: 2 doses (1 dose on or after 12 months and before 16 months and a 2nd dose measles before enrolling in school (K-1) for the first time)
HIB: 1-4 doeses (Series complete if at least 1 dose given on or after 15 months and before 5 years of age; not required after age 5)
Varicella: 1 dose (required for all children born on or after 4/1/01)

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED BY A NATURAL PARENT OR CUSTODIAN

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT

To enroll your child into kindergarten, he/she must be five on or before August 31st for North Carolina public schools. In Fort Bragg (DDESS) Schools, the child must be five on or before September 1st. You may register at the school in your district by taking your child and the following records to the school:

1. Birth Certificate

2. Shot Record

3. Social Security Number

4. Copy of the child's physical exam

5. Proof of Parent/Custodian Address

TRANSFERRING FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT

You should take your child to the school in your district and present the following records to the school:

1. Withdrawal from previous school or copy of last report card

2. Birth Certificate

3. Shot record

4. Social Security number

5. Proof of Parent/Custodian Address

How do you enroll your child in public school?

North Carolina public schools serve every child who comes to their doors, as long as that child is 5 years old on or before October 16. Programs are available statewide for children with special needs--including academically gifted children. Typically, any child who is 5 years old on or before October 16 will be enrolled in kindergarten.

To enroll, a child needs proof of immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, mumps, and red and German measles. Certain exemptions are possible for extenuating health or religious reasons. All students need proof of a current physical examination when enrolling in North Carolina schools for the first time. Children are enrolled in the school district in which they live, and school assignments are made by the local school system.

Schools provide a wide-range of academic opportunities, as well as support services. School lunch and breakfast are usually offered for a nominal fee. Free school bus transportation, to students who live more than 1.5 miles from school, and free use of textbooks also are provided.

When does school start?

Start dates vary among school systems because it is a local decision. You will need to contact the school system directly.

How long is the school year?

The General Assembly requires a minimum of 180 instructional days for students and a minimum of 1,000 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. It is a local decision, not the state's, to determine the length of the school day and the school year. Instructional days may be scheduled for any day except Sunday.

We're moving to North Carolina and would like information on the schools.

The best source of information about a school is the local school system. Each school is required to have a School Building Improvement Report, which the school system office should be able to provide, which contains testing as well as other information. The local school system office can also tell you about attendance areas and other programs offered at the schools (e.g., foreign languages, music, art, etc.). We recommend that you identify the schools in which you are interested by reviewing this information and then arrange to visit the school so that you can find out first-hand

Again, the best source of information is the local school system. The state's accountability program does not take into account other factors that may be important to you such as leadership, school environment, breadth of academic offerings, and extracurricular programs.

Local Public Schools List

What are alternatives to public schools?

North Carolina's public schools offer parents more choices than ever -- charter schools, magnet schools, year-round schools. In fact, the state has the third highest number of year-round schools in the nation. It also is estimated that over half the school districts offer some choice, be it Montessori schools, special curriculum choices or innovative scheduling.

Other School Options
Local Private Schools

How can I find out about private schools in North Carolina?

The Department of Public Instruction does not maintain any information on private schools in North Carolina. You may want to contact the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the North Carolina Christian School Association, the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh Schools, or the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte Schools.

Local Private Schools

I'd like more information about home schooling my child.

The Department of Public Instruction does not maintain any information on home schooling in North Carolina. You may want to contact a home schooling association or the North Carolina Division of Non-Public Education at (919) 733-4276.

What do students study in public schools?

North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade study English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, guidance, healthful living, library/media/computer skills, second languages and workforce development subjects. The North Carolina Standard Course of Study outlines the competencies and objectives students should master.

In what subjects are students tested?

To measure how well children are learning the curriculum, local school districts test children in grades 3-8 in reading, writing (grades 4 and 7) and mathematics. High school tests are given in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Physical Science, Physics, Chemistry, English I and II, US History, Biology, and Economic, Legal and Political Systems. Workforce development courses also have statewide assessment through VoCATS. See the Reports & Statistics gateway page for more information.

Are schools ranked in North Carolina based on test scores?

As part of the ABCs of Public Education, schools are held accountable for student performance to assure that a school's student achievement is progressing at a healthy pace. Students in grades 3-8 and high schools are tested and held accountable by the state for basic subjects. These testing results, compiled from End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests, are used to identify schools that qualify for recognition and assistance.

How does North Carolina rank compare to other states?

The best comparison of states on standardized achievement tests is the National Assessment of Educational Progress. These assessments generally show that North Carolina is around the national average. You can read a general overview on how North Carolina is doing or you can read the most recent State of the State Report, which provides a more detailed analysis of North Carolina's educational progress.