Early kindergarten registration in Leon County Schools could come with a big reward for a lucky family: a two-year Florida Prepaid Scholarship.
Families who enroll their kindergartners by May 16 will be entered into a drawing for the college scholarship. The award is an incentive for parents to enroll kindergartners to help schools be prepared for the first day of school which is Aug. 11.
Hartsfield Elementary School principal John Olsen speaks about kindergarten enrollment during a live stream hosted by Leon County Schools on Monday, April March 7, 2025.
“We are expecting to see an uptick in kindergarten enrollment for next school year,” Hartsfield Elementary School Principal John Olson said. “We appreciate parents registering their children early because it helps with planning for staff and supplies.”
Olson, district administrators and Sabal Palm Elementary School Principal Latoyer Hankerson gathered in the Hartsfield Elementary media center to tell parents, “Don’t wait to join the class of 2038.”
Erica Green-Clark’s kindergarten class at Hartsfield Elementary School works on spelling and writing with her students Monday, April 7, 2025.
Up-to-date shot records
All incoming kindergartners will need to file updated immunization records at the time of registration.
LCS director of health and student services Tonja Fitzgerald speaks about kindergarten enrollment during a live stream hosted by Leon County Schools on Monday, April March 7, 2025.
“On your list of things to do make sure that your student’s immunizations are up to date,” director of health, wellness and student services Tonja Fitzgerald said. “We are not offering the 30-day grace period this year and we will need those records for registration.”
Students won’t be enrolled until appropriate shot records are available, so parents are encouraged to set up medical appointments early.
LCS Early Learning director Brooke Brunner speaks about kindergarten enrollment during a live stream hosted by Leon County Schools on Monday, April March 7, 2025.
Necessary documents
Along with immunization records, parents will need to collect other documents for registration, including two proofs of residency.
Brooke Brunner, LCS director of early learning, said lease and mortgage statements, and utility bills with the home address labeled on it are acceptable.
Parents will need to upload the documents into the parent portal and the process of collecting, reviewing and approving documents could take weeks.
Kindergarten Orientation Day
LCS director of elementary schools Anicia Robinson speaks about kindergarten enrollment during a live stream hosted by Leon County Schools on Monday, April March 7, 2025.
On April 17, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., families will get the chance to visit their home schools to learn more about a day in the life of a kindergartner in a districtwide orientation.
“We encourage families to attend and get to know their school,” LCS Director of Elementary Schools Anicia Robinson said.
Parents will get the chance to ask questions and get information about buses, before and after school care, and school supply lists. School administrators will also assist parents with enrollment questions.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon public schools: Here’s how to register your kindergartener early