faq.csv

question,answer,model
What if I do not have the documents required for BPS Registration?,"Parent/Guardians and/or students over 18 years old must present a photo ID and two current proofs of Boston residency to register. Families under another person's lease can use the BPS landlord affidavit. Families in homeless shelters can register under the McKinney-Vento Act with a letter from shelter staff. If proofs are hard to secure, contact a Welcome Center.",You will need to return to the center with the appropriate documents.
"If I complete registration, is a seat in a BPS pre-kindergarten (K0-K1) or kindergarten (K2) program guaranteed?","No. K0 and K1 seats are limited and not in every school. All K2 students are guaranteed a seat, but not necessarily at a preferred school. If no match is found and administrative assignment is declined, the child will be unassigned and placed on waitlists.","Yes, all kindergarten students are guaranteed a seat."
My child already completed Kindergarten outside of BPS but will not be six years old by September 1. May I apply for a Grade 1 assignment?,No. BPS does not offer waivers to the minimum age requirement for Grade 1. Children must be five by September 1 to apply for K2.,I am unable to provide that information.
How many schools should I rank on my application for assignment? Can I make additional school choices after assignment?,"Families should rank all schools in true order of preference. More choices, especially with sibling priority, increase assignment chances. Changes can be made post-assignment at a Welcome Center with a photo ID, but seat availability is not guaranteed.",Most families will have between 10 and 14 school options on their choice list.
"How are assignments made? Are they on a first-come, first-served basis? Should I come on the first day of the first registration period?","No, assignments are not first-come, first-served. They are made at the end of each registration round based on priorities, random number, and availability. Early registration within the period offers no advantage, but earlier periods generally have more available seats.",Assignments are made based on student needs and school capacity.
I just moved to Boston with my school-age children. What if I need a school assignment right now?,"New-to-Boston families can register anytime for the current school year. Visit a Welcome Center with the child's birth certificate, immunization record, photo ID, and two proofs of Boston residency.",I am unable to provide that information.
We moved to another address in Boston after registering. What should we do?,Inform a Welcome Center immediately and bring two proofs of new address and photo ID. You may need to make new school choices if the new address is in a different assignment area. BPS is only for Boston residents.,Families that have moved since registering need to visit a Welcome Center. They need to bring their photo ID and TWO proofs of Boston residency.
My child was not assigned a school or was not assigned a school of my choice. Why did this happen?,K0-K2 applicants are only assigned to chosen schools. K2 students may get administrative assignments if requested. Grade 1+ applicants are administratively assigned if necessary. All students not placed in top choices are put on waitlists.,There are many factors that can affect school assignment.
How do I find information on my child's wait list(s)? When are wait list(s) updated and how is a student assigned from a wait list?,"Assignment results are mailed ~6 weeks after each registration round. Contact a Welcome Center to check waitlist status. Waitlists process automatically as seats open. In August, only highest-ranked waitlist is kept. Families can opt out by contacting BPS.","To learn of your child�s rank on the waitlist, you can call or visit a Welcome Center."
My child is completing the highest grade at his/her current school. How do I choose the next BPS school?,"Students moving to Grades 6, 7, or 9 receive school choice forms in January. Others receive them in February. Forms are sent by email and paper. Parents should rank schools and submit online or return the form to the student's school.",Families can choose a school through the School Choice process.