Enrollment Requirements

• Student must be registered by his/her custodial parent (biological, adoptive, legal guardian).
• Parent must live in the actual school district in which you plan to enroll your student.
• The following information is required at time of registration:
  • Parent must produce a picture I.D. - driver's license, military I.D., or passport.
  • Signed current lease or deed for your address, valid dates, signatures
  • Current utility bill with name and address copy is acceptable (telephone, gas & electric, cable bill)
  • Student's proof of birth (birth certificate, baptismal certificate, hospital certificate,
    passport, military identification)
  • Student's current proof of immunizations
  • Student's most recent grade report- transcript, report card from last school attended at time of withdrawal.
  • If student is receiving or has received Special Education, 504, or related services,
    please provide current documentation; i.e., Individual Education Plan (IEP), 504, Psychological Report.
  • Custodial parent must submit proof of custody; i.e., divorce settlement papers, court papers.

Please call the school to find out when enrollments are scheduled and whether a registration appointment is necessary!

Registration Information

• Not sure which school your student is attending? Call the Howard County Public Schools Public Information Office to find out 410.313.6682.
• Immunization Questions: Contact the Howard County Public School System's health staff at the child's home school or the Health Services Office at 410.313.6812.
• Custody Documents: In the case of a divorce or separation, it is important for the school to have a copy of the information pertaining to custody. This is for the student's protection. Students can ONLY be registered by the Residential/Custodial Parent. Is is important to note that you must have court-ordered custody in order to register a student in Howard County Public Schools.
• If you have any "special" living arrangements (living with a relative until your home is built, sharing residence with another family, homeless, etc.) please contact the school's Pupil Personnel Worker at 410.313.6646. Special documentation must be on file if you do not have your own legal mailing address in your school's district.
• If you are buying/building/leasing, and don't live within your school district, you must contact the office which handles out-of-district requests at 410.313.6997.
• Students who are new to Howard County and were born outside the U.S. and/or need ESOL services should contact the Office of International Student Services at 410.313.7101 or 410.313.7102 for assessment and registration.

Other Helpful Information

• Lost birth certificate? For children in Maryland, a copy of a birth certificate can be obtained from:
     Howard County Health Department, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive (off Rt. 175)
     410-313-6300 (TDD 410-313-2323).
     There is a charge for this service.
    
• Can't find your deed? You can obtain a copy of your deed from:
     Howard County Land Records Department, at 9250 Bendix Road, Columbia, 21045
     There is a charge for this service.
    
• Don't have your deed yet? House is in the process of being built? Contact the office which handles out-of-district requests at 410-313-6997.

Pupil Personnel Office

Any deviation from the stated requirements must be approved by the Pupil Personnel Office at The Howard County Department of Education - 410-313-6646 or 410-313-6822. Also contact the Pupil Personnel office in situations regarding:

• Residency
• Multiple Family Living Arrangements
• Custody

Transportation

Bus transportation is provided for kindergartners who live 1/2 mile or more from school, first through eighth graders who live 1 mile or more from school, and high school students who live 1-1/2 miles or more from school. For school bus route information, call the Transportation office at 410-313-6733.