Welcome to Kindergarten!

2024-25 Kindergarten Registration is OPEN! 

We are thrilled to welcome your little learners to the District 54 family. Together, let’s nurture their curiosity, foster friendships and make their educational adventure a truly memorable one. Please register your children for the 2024-2025 school year today, so we can begin preparing for this exciting journey.

Kindergarten Registration is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1: Register online starting January 24, 2024. If this is your first time registering a student in District 54, click here to access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you already have a student in District 54, you can register your incoming kindergarten student by logging in to your existing Parent Portal account

Step 2: Make an appointment to visit your neighborhood school. At this appointment, you will present the documents listed below and sign documents to complete your kindergarten student’s registration. If you are unsure what your neighborhood school is, visit the District 54 School Boundary Map and enter your student’s grade and your home address. We would love for you to bring your future kindergarten student with you to this appointment, as we will have a special surprise for them!

Step 3: Visit your neighborhood school with the following documents. 

  • Proof of residence (3 separate documents, details and examples listed below)
  • Student’s birth certificate, Visa or Passport (original with seal). Official birth certificates are issued by the county clerk in the county in which the child was born. Hospital certificates are not acceptable.

In order to enroll a child in District 54, families are asked to provide proof that you reside in the district. Please make sure all documents are current and have your name and the address within District 54 boundaries.

If you already have a child attending a District 54 school, we will attempt to verify the address information electronically. If that is not possible, you will have the ability to upload your residency electronically through your portal account. If you do not have a portal account, you can also email the required documents to [email protected].

You will need one of the following documents:

  • the most recent real estate tax bill or mortgage statement for the residence showing the owner as the taxpayer;
  • a signed lease for the residence including a beginning and end date; or
  • a closing statement for the purchase of the residence.

In addition, provide a current copy of at least two of the following documents:

  • Illinois driver’s license;
  • gas, water, electric, internet, television, telephone bill or letter confirming service connection;
  • public assistance documentation;
  • voter registration card;
  • home or vehicle insurance certificate;
  • Illinois automobile registration; or
  • receipt for local city vehicle sticker where applicable.

Any person asserting legal custody over a student, who is not the student’s parent or legal guardian, must provide current documentation from a court supporting the student custody arrangement.

Students who are in a temporary living situation may attend school in the district pursuant to provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Learn more about McKinney-Vento.

Listed below are the local county clerk offices. If your child was born in one of these counties, they can assist you in getting a birth certificate.

Cook County Clerk

Lake County Clerk

DuPage County Clerk

Kane County Clerk

Online Registration Help 

Need help with online registration? We have you covered!  Below are links to videos in the top languages spoken in District 54 so that you can follow along in your preferred language. Check back here soon for video links in more languages!

 

Additional Resources

Open Enrollment Schools

Instead of attending their neighborhood school, students who live in District 54 and are registered to attend District 54 schools can apply to attend one of our schools that offer unique learning opportunities, such as Chinese Immersion, Japanese Dual Language and Spanish Dual Language.

For more information about the Open Enrollment process and programs, visit the Open Enrollment page.

Kindergarten Screening

At the beginning of the school year in August, your child will participate in our kindergarten screening program. Each school will contact families regarding the dates and times of screenings. At the screening, your child will meet the teacher, see a classroom and meet some classmates. At this time the teacher will meet individually with your child to assess some basic kindergarten skills.

This assessment is used as a guide for classroom instruction. It is also used to measure progress during the year. Results will be shared with families at conferences. If during screening or through classroom observation, we have any cause for concern, you will be fully informed in a timely manner. You will be involved in planning future assessments and whatever services or programs your child may need to ensure their success.

If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s development, please share them with your child’s teacher.

Accelerated Placement

School District 54 follows Illinois School Code which specifies that to enter kindergarten children must be five years of age by September 1 of their kindergarten year and six years of age by September 1 of their first-grade year. The District 54 School Board permits accelerated placement into kindergarten or first grade for students younger than the entrance age requirements only for students who demonstrate high ability pursuant to the Board’s Accelerated Placement Policy. Read more about Accelerated Placement in District 54.