Registration for Kindergarten and Pre-K now open in Gaston County

Pre-K and Kindergarten registration is now open in Gaston County, and district officials are urging parents to sign their children up as soon as possible.

“Parents are encouraged to register their child now rather than waiting until school starts in August; doing so helps the elementary schools to better prepare for the new academic year,” they said in a press release.

Here’s some information on registration from how and where to required materials.

Where and when

According to the release, parents can register upcoming kindergarteners at gaston.k12.nc.us/kindergartenregistration.

Upcoming pre-kindergarteners can be registered at gaston.k12.nc.us/prekindergarten.

Those who prefer in-person enrollment can visit Gaston County Schools Student Assignment Office for upcoming Kindergarteners and the Gaston County Schools Pre-Kindergarten Services Office to register upcoming Pre-K students.

Both offices are open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and are located at the former Forest Heights Elementary School, #1 Learning Place, Gastonia.

Required materials

In order to register for kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before Aug. 31, 2024, the release said.

To register for preschool, a child must be four years old on or before Aug. 31, 2024.

Parents will need the following documents to register their child:

• A birth certificate or proof of parentage.
• The valid ID of parent/guardian registering the child.
• Two proofs of residence (such as power, water, gas, cable, or landline telephone bills, lease, or mortgage.)
• An up-to-date immunization/shot record.
• A health assessment (check-up) completed on or after Aug. 14, 2023 by a certified health care professional.

Extra information

Pre-K classes are offered at various school and community locations across Gaston County.

Registering a child for preschool does not guarantee that the child will be placed in the program.

The district has limited space for Pre-K at each location, according to the release.

Parents who have questions or need additional information about kindergarten registration may call the Student Assignment Office, 704-810-7284. For pre-kindergarten information, parents may call the Pre-Kindergarten Services Office, 704-866-6124.