Kindergarten Registration Begins In West Haven

From West Haven Public Schools

WEST HAVEN, CT — Kindergarten registration is now open for West Haven residents looking to enroll their student for the 2025-26 school year.

Per the Connecticut Department of Education, students must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 of that school year to be eligible to register for kindergarten. For students that do not meet the entry age, parents may request the school district to consider entering their child early.

To start the enrollment process for a student who meets the Connecticut Department of Education's age requirement, call 203-937-4300 x7118 to make your appointment at your student's home school (for Spanish, call 203-479-1495). Each home school will have a designated night of registration, appointments are required.

• Tuesday, Feb. 4: Edith E. Mackrille School
• Thursday, Feb. 6: Seth G. Haley Elementary School
• Tuesday, Feb. 11: Alma E. Pagels Elementary School
• Thursday, Feb. 13: Washington Elementary School (These registrations will be held at West Haven Elks Lodge, 265 Main. St.)
• Thursday, Feb. 20: Forest Elementary School
• Thursday, Feb. 27: Savin Rock Community School

If you do not know your student's home school, listings by address are available on the WHPS website.

To start an Early Entrance Request for students who do not meet the Connecticut Department of Education's age requirement, parents can submit a written letter to Melanie.Deninger@whschools.org, West Haven Public Schools' Early Childhood Coordinator, requesting consideration for their child to enter kindergarten for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Parents must provide two current proofs of residency (current lease/mortgage and utility bill) and their child’s birth certificate. This process will continue as follows:

• Kindergarten stakeholders will administer the Kindergarten Screening Assessment, which will consist of the following domains to assess if the student is developmentally appropriate for kindergarten:
  • Academic
  • Personal/Social
  • Adaptive
  • Communication
  • Motor
  • School Readiness
• The Early Childhood Director will communicate a decision shortly after the screening is complete. All decisions are final.
  • Not eligible students will be provided with community resources and engagement activities that they can participate in prior to kindergarten.
  • Eligible students will be provided with next steps regarding registration requirements.

When your student has been fully registered, please be on the lookout for more information regarding Kindergarten Orientation in the spring.

West Haven Public Schools is excited to welcome the Class of 2038!