Frequently Asked Questions

How old does my child have to be to attend school?
Under state law, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enter kindergarten. To enter first grade, a child must be 6 on or before September 1, and must have attended kindergarten.

How do I know which school my child will attend?
The Zoning Office at the School Board of Alachua County can identify your child's school. Contact the office at (352) 955-7700, provide your address, and you will be given the name and address of the school your child will be attending.

How do I go about enrolling my child in the school?
You may go to the school at any time during regular hours to enroll your child, even during the summer. You may also call the school to make an appointment. See Schools and Centers for a list of all Alachua County schools and their phone numbers.

What sort of paperwork will I need to enroll my child?
You should bring the following items to the school:

Two documents showing proof of residence
This may be a rental or lease agreement, utility bill, deed, sales agreement or property tax bill.
Health records
All kindergartners need a physical within the year before school starts. This exam must be on an official physical form showing a physician's review of all systems. The Florida form or a physician's personal form is acceptable. School nurses should be consulted if there is any question. The Department of Health Form 680 is the required immunization document. You can ask the staff at your doctor's office, clinic or the Alachua County Health Department to fill out the form for you. You will need to have your child's immunization record with you in order to obtain the form. You may also bring a copy of the official, documented immunizations which your child has received at his or her doctor's office to the school. School nurses cannot transcribe immunizations to an HRS680 form.

The following immunizations are required under Florida law:

Preschool Entry (age-appropriate doses as medically indicated):

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) *required for 0-59 months
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Series
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (specific to this age group only)
Hepatitis B Series
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Polio Series
2 Varicella vaccine or Chickenpox (physician documentation of disease or vaccine)

Kindergarten - 7 Entry:

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Series
Hepatitis B Series
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (two doses of Measles vaccine, preferably as MMR)
Polio Series
2 Varicella vaccines or Chickenpox (physician documentation of disease or vaccine)
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)

Seventh grade only * Grades 7-10 Entry:

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Series
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
Hepatitis B Series
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (two doses of measles vaccine, preferably as MMR)
Polio Series
2 Varicella vacines or Chickenpox (physician documentation of disease or vaccine)

Grades 11-12 Entry:

Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Series
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap)
Hepatitis B Series
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (two doses of measles vaccine, preferably as MMR)
Polio Series
1 Varicella vaccine or Chickenpox (physician documentation of disease or vaccine)

Proof of name and age

A certified copy of a birth certificate or an acceptable substitute is required by Florida law for to enter kindergarten. An acceptable substitute may be:

Baptismal certificate showing date of birth and place of baptism, accompanied by parent's sworn affidavit
Insurance policy on child which has been in force at least two years
Bible record of child's birth accompanied by parent's sworn affidavit
Passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing age of child
School record, at least four years prior, showing date of birth
Parent's sworn affidavit accompanied by certificate of examination

School records

Items such as withdrawal forms, standardized test scores and recent report cards will help the school place your child appropriately. If you don't have these items, provide the school with the name and address of your child's previous school so that the necessary information can be obtained.

Social Security Card

We request that you bring your child's social security card. A copy will be made and kept with your child's folder for identification purposes.


Who can I call for more information?
The Zoning Office at (352) 955-7700 will be able to answer any other questions you may have.

Welcome to Alachua County Public Schools

Welcome to Alachua County Public Schools, consistently rated a high-performing district by the Florida Department of Education. Our vision for our students is that they will graduate with the knowledge, skills, and personal characteristics to be lifelong learners and independent thinkers. We want our graduates to excel in their chosen careers and be productive and contributing members of the global community.