Register for School
We are excited to partner with you as your child grows and learns.
To register a new student, follow these instructions:
The links on this page are for NEW students or students returning to the district who are not currently enrolled and attending our district. Please note that only legal parents/guardians may register a student.
Registration questions? Call us at 785/330-1921.
2025-2026 Kindergarten Registration: The 2025-2026 registration link will be available soon for children who turn 5 by August 31, 2025. Once it is available, you will click the 2025-2026 link below to register your child for the fall. After registering, you will take the documents listed under Step 2 to your student's school to complete your child's registration. Please complete this process prior to March 30th to ensure you receive an invitation to attend Kindergarten Orientation, which will be held April 16th, 2025. You may call 785-330-1921 if you are unsure of your child's elementary school boundary or simply enter your address in this interactive elementary boundary map.
To register NEW student(s), please click the 2024-2025 New Student Registration button below.
Once you complete the online form, follow the instructions under Step 2.
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Once you have completed Step 1, please email the required documents listed below to our Enrollment Center, fax them to 785-596-6548, or bring them to the Enrollment Office at 110 McDonald Drive. For kindergarten registrations, please take your documents directly to your child's school.
Required Documents:
- Certified Birth Certificate (For kdg and 1st grade students attending public school for the first time, you may email a copy and then you must present the original certified Birth Certificate in person. )
- Proof of Residency- Accepted forms: current utility statement - water/gas/or electric, current car registration, or a new lease agreement. If purchasing a home - the Settlement Statement from closing. (We cannot accept: phone, cable, or other miscellaneous bills or tax and mortgage statements.) If you do not have these documents in your name, contact us at 785-330-1921.
- Current Immunizations - click here for requirements
- Health Assessment (If entering a Kansas school for the first time between the ages of 4-9, performed by a physician/health care provider and dated within one year prior to school entry.)
- Parent/Guardian Picture ID To match the parent name on the birth certificate or the name on the guardianship paperwork.
- Guardianship papers If applicable.
Next, for children of families that are culturally and/or linguistically diverse, email us to schedule an appointment for your student to complete the state-mandated required screening.
Early Childhood applicants will wait to supply the documents listed below until prompted during the application process. Please continue to check your email for instructions.
Additional Information
Kindergarten Registration Information: Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year for children who turn five years old by August 31, 2025, will open early spring. Once the 2025-2026 Link is available, you will click the 2025-2026 New Student Registration button above under Step 1 to register. Next, turn in the required documents listed under Step 2 to your school office. Please register and turn in the required documents by March 30th to attend Kindergarten Orientation being held on April 16th. Once your student's registration is complete, your student's school will invite you to participate in Kindergarten Orientation. If you are not sure which school your student will attend, call 785-330-1921 or simply enter your address in this interactive elementary boundary map.
Interested in our Early Childhood Program? Please review this information about the program and qualifications prior to applying. When registration opens for the 2025-2026 school year, click the 25-26 New Student Registration button under Step 1 to apply for next fall.
Interested in the Lawrence Virtual School Program? Please review this information about the program and qualifications for future applications. For NEW students to USD 497, the 2025-2026 school year applications will be accepted in March 2025. For CURRENT USD 497 students wanting to attend LVS during the second semester, complete a Transfer Request Form.
Montessori Education at New York Elementary School: In 2022-2023, Lawrence Public Schools opened Kansas' first public Montessori school and began a phased approach to offering Montessori education tuition-free to qualifying families at New York Elementary School. For the 2025-2026 school year, Montessori programs include students in preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-3. Priority is given to students who live within the New York Elementary boundary. Once it is available, complete the 2025-2026 application by clicking the 25-26 New Student Registration button when it is available under Step 1.
For families interested in the Montessori program who reside outside the New York Elementary boundary, please submit a Transfer Request Form for consideration. Please note that space is limited.
STEAM Program at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School: Review information about STEAM@LMCMS, which began with the 2024-2025 school year. This program is open to all students in grades 6-8. To attend, click the New Student Registration button under Step 1. If your student currently attends USD 497 and wants to transfer to the STEAM@LMCMS program, complete a Transfer Request Form for consideration.
Additional Resources
Elementary Supply List (Secondary schools and teachers will share requested supplies for students to bring to classes.)
Bus/Transportation Enrollment Form and Bus Routes
Free & Reduced-Price Lunch Application and Consent for Disclosure Form (for Student Fee Waivers)
Enrollment Center
Regular Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Summer Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Address
110 McDonald Drive
Lawrence, KS 66044
Contacts
Call 785-330-1921 or email us at enrollment@usd497.org