Three years before enrollment in kindergarten (children aged 2-3)

• Begin your school search. Review "Find Your Great School" to help you get started.
• If you choose a school with a pre-kindergarten program, start this process a year earlier.

Two years before enrollment in kindergarten           

• Attend elementary school open houses to tour and gain information about the schools. These events are usually held in the spring.  
• Speak with principals, teachers and parents of the schools you are researching. Use this guide for "Visiting a School" to help you.

The year prior to enrolling in kindergarten - September

• The district elementary school directory becomes available and can be obtained through the District Office of Student Enrollment and Placement. Application forms can be obtained through the same means beginning September 19.

October – November

• Applications to transfer between neighborhood schools are due. This year, the deadline is November 2. Learn more about transferring schools.
• Some schools hold visits, information sessions or open houses.
• Private schools begin to accept applications, which are due throughout the fall and early winter. Learn more about applying to Catholic schools and independent private schools.
• Most public charter schools begin to accept applications.

December – January

• Most private school admission and financial aid applications are due during this period.

February – March

• Most charter school application deadlines fall during this period.

• Public charter schools with more applications than spots run lotteries for all applicants. Neighborhood schools run lotteries for transfer applicants. 
• Most private schools release admissions decisions. 

March – May

• Families who have applied to public neighborhood school(s) other than their assigned school are notified of admissions decisions.

• Families with multiple acceptances make selections, and students on waiting lists for charter schools are notified as they are accepted.

August

• Registration opens for District public neighborhood schools. The following students need to register:
  • Philadelphia public school students who have moved to another city neighborhood over the summer
  • Children new to Philadelphia
  • Children transferring in from private, parochial and charter schools
  • Kindergarten students who were not pre-registered in the spring