WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Registration is open now for Lexington Two 4-year-old kindergarten, 5-year-old kindergarten, and first grade for the 2019-20 academic year.
To be eligible to enroll, a child must turn age 4 or 5 prior to September 1, 2019.
Parents/guardians have two ways to register:
- In person, from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays -- or 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday June 3-August 8 only -- at the Lexington Two elementary school in your attendance area. If you are unsure of your school, visit www.lex2.org and click on the “Find My School” button in the center of the page.
- Online at the district website -- www.lex2.org, or by clicking here -- which allows users to fill out an application any time of day. Be sure to click on 2019-2020 New Student Registration. You also can find the forms here in English and Spanish.
Parents/guardians will be required to bring the following documents to their elementary school office to complete registration:
- Child’s birth certificate (long form)
- Child’s South Carolina immunization certificate
- Two proofs of residence (one utility/cable bill and a lease/mortgage agreement)
- Proof of income for full-day 4K (acceptable forms of proof: child’s Medicaid card, parent/guardian’s pay stub or W-2 income tax information).
A school readiness assessment is planned for each registered 4-year-old.
Early childhood education is key for a strong student foundation of learning. Students who attend a pre-k program score higher on reading and math tests than children receiving parental care alone, according to a study cited on the Center for Public Education website.
Lexington Two strives to provide superior educational experiences that empower our students to achieve their highest potential. We look forward to beginning this educational journey with our newest students.
Early Childhood: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Lexington Two offer programs for preschoolers?
A: Lexington Two is home to an outstanding child development (CD)/4-year-old Kindergarten (4K) program. CD/4K is open to district residents who turn four on or before September 1 of the applicable school year. Space is limited and acceptances are prioritized through a screening process.
Students are screened in either June, July, or August and acceptances are finalized after screening.
CD/4K classrooms are full day and currently housed at:
- Cayce Elementary School
- Congaree-Wood Early Childhood Center (as of July 1, Wood Elementary)
- Springdale Elementary
- Riverbank Elementary (serving students zoned for Saluda River Academy for the Arts)
Q: Does the district offer any programs for children younger than four?
A: Yes. The first of these is the district’s STAR (Starting Together Arriving Ready) program. Operated through the Office of Parenting and Family Services, the STAR program employs both full-time parent educators and part-time parent educators through a partnership with Lexington County First Steps. These educators make home visits to interested families of children from birth through age five, sharing developmental information, parenting support and educational activities. The STAR program uses the national Parents As Teachers (P.A.T.) format. Parent educators in Lexington Two also operate an ongoing series of activities for preschoolers and their parents. For more information on the Parenting and Family Services Program, contact Mary Brooks, Director or Sheri Stewart, Lead Parent Educator at 926-5743.
The district also operates a number of special needs preschool classrooms serving identified three-and four-year-old students. Participation in these programs is limited to students with identified special needs. For more information, contact Lisa Harmon, Director, or Emmylou Todd Coordinator of Special Services at 739-4059.
Q: At what age can my child begin attending school in District Two?
A: Age requirements are set by state law and vary by program and grade level. Please see the descriptions below for additional details.
Four-Year-Old Child Development
Students turning four on or before September 1 of a given school year are eligible to apply for the district’s Four-Year-Old Child Development Program. Spaces in this program are limited.
Students turning five on or before September 1 of a given school year may enroll in full-day kindergarten.
Students turning six on or before September 1 of a given school year are designated for placement in first grade.
Special Needs Preschool Programs
Lexington Two serves a limited number of three- and four-year-old students in special needs preschool programs. In some instances these services are provided after the child’s third birthday, independent of its timing during the year.
Q: My child narrowly misses the birth date cutoffs established by the state. Are there any provisions that would allow him/her to enroll early?
A: School entry age is established under state law. Lexington Two does not make exceptions to the legally defined entry deadlines.
Q: I’d prefer to send my child to kindergarten at his existing preschool; is this an option?
A: Yes. The district is home to many private and church-based preschools, several of which offer programs for five-year-olds. Parents are encouraged to select the program they feel will best meet the needs of their child. Please understand, however, that these programs should be viewed as alternatives to public school programs.