Baltimore Co. Schools Urge Parents To Get Kids Ready For 1st Day

TOWSON, MD — Baltimore County’s public schools will open their doors to students on Tuesday, Sept. 3, for the first day of classes. School system officials are encouraging parents to use the final week of summer break to ensure their children are registered for school and properly immunized.

“This school year, we are expecting 115,000 students in Baltimore County Public Schools,” Superintendent Darryl Williams said in a statement, “and we are looking forward to seeing every one of them on Tuesday, September 3. Leading up to that day, our schools are open Monday through Friday to register students, and community resources are available to help parents with immunizations for their children.”

Maryland law requires that all children ages 5 to 18 attend school unless they have a high school diploma or GED, are married, or meet other limited exceptions.

Parents who are new to Baltimore County or who have moved over the summer can use the online Schools Boundaries Locator or call the Office of Strategic Planning at 443-809-4215 to identify the schools their children are zoned to attend. Parents should then call the schools to schedule enrollment appointments.

To register children, parents/guardians need to present:

• Proof of Baltimore County residency in accordance with Rule 5150 (deed or lease and photo ID with three proofs of residency)
• Their child’s birth certificate
• Their child’s immunization record
• Copy of the child's most recent report card (if applicable)

If the student is transferring from another public school in Maryland, a copy of the Maryland Student Transfer Record will be required. This form may be obtained at the school from which the student is transferring.

The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Welcome Center, at 3637 Offutt Road in Randallstown, also is available to assist the families of English learners. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 443-809-6752.

Families that need assistance with immunizations can call the Baltimore County Health Department at 410-887-2705 for information about nearby services. The latest immunization schedules are available online.

Release: Baltimore County Public Schools