Student Handbook - Enrollment

Enrollment

The Online Registration form is required for enrollment in grades preschool - Grade 12.

The form  is accessible to all families through the Worcester Public Schools enrollment webpage.

To enroll a student in Worcester Public Schools, the following documents must be submitted and verified:

  1. Child’s original birth certificate or passport

  2. Child’s up-to-date immunization record

  3. Child's up-to-date physical exam record (within the last year)

  4. Caregiver’s photo identification

  5. Records from previous school, if available

  6. A  deed or mortgage payment in the last 30 days, valid & current lease, Section 8 Agreement, or notarized Landlord Affidavit dated within 6 months. 

  7. One additional proof of Worcester residency from the list below: 

  • A Utility Bill (not water or cell phone) dated within the past 60 days

  • A W2 form dated within the year, or a Payroll Stub dated within the past 60 days 

  • A Bank or Credit Card Statement dated within the past 60 days

  • A Letter from an Approved Government Agency** dated within the past 60 days. Approved Government Agencies: Department of Revenue (DOR), Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), Department of Youth Services (DYS) or Social Security.

Parent Information Center

Caregivers can access support through the Dr. James L. Garvey Parent Information Center, located at 778 Main Street in Worcester, MA 01609. 

The staff at the Garvey Center provide guidance on the student assignment policy, help families choose the educational setting that best fits their child's needs, and assist with the initial registration process—including required documentation such as birth certificates, immunization records, Home Language Survey Forms, and Medicaid eligibility.

Home Language

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations require that all schools determine the language(s) spoken in each student’s home in order to identify their specific language needs. This information is essential in order for schools to provide meaningful instruction for all students. If a language other than English is spoken in the home, the District is required to do further assessment of your child.

Opt-Out Policy for English Learners (ELs)

The Worcester Public Schools is committed to comply in good faith with all federal, state and local laws, rules and guidelines in the area of education for English Learners. Federal civil rights laws, namely, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), require schools to take appropriate steps to address the language barriers that prevent ELs from meaningfully participating in their education. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71A and supporting regulations provide the state framework for the education of English learners in Massachusetts. Caregivers of ELs may notify the district of their choice to have their child “opt out” of English learner education programs. The decision to opt-out must be made by the caregivers (or students over 18 years of age) and must be voluntary and informed. 

In opt-out cases, the district must inform the caregivers of the services the child would receive in the district’s English learner education programs, as well as the type of support that would be provided to the student if the caregivers decide to “opt-out” of English learner services. A caregiver’s choice to opt-out means their child will not receive separate English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction focused on language development, but the district will provide the necessary support and actively monitor the student’s progress to ensure that the student’s English language and academic needs resulting from lack of English proficiency are met. 

In order to comply with the laws, the following procedures shall be followed in every school building: 

  1. Caregivers who contact the school to request that their child opt-out of ESL services will be invited to attend a meeting at the school to include a school administrator and an ESL teacher. If the caregivers have identified in the Home Language Survey that they prefer an interpreter at meetings, the district shall provide an interpreter at the meeting. 

  2. No school personnel shall influence or encourage caregivers to request that their child opt-out of ESL services.

  3. At the meeting, the district shall inform the caregivers of the services the child would receive in the district’s English learner education programs, as well as the type of support that would be provided to the students if the caregivers decide to opt-out. 

  4. If the caregivers are unable or unwilling to attend a meeting in person at the school, the school can offer an alternative means of meeting by telephone or otherwise.

  5. The school shall provide the caregivers with the Opt-Out Form in the caregiver’s native language if the caregivers have indicated in the Home Language Survey that they seek written information in their native language. 

  6. The school shall retain a copy of the Opt-Out Form in the student’s cumulative file.

  7. If the caregivers decide to opt-out of an English learner program, the school should place the student in an English language mainstream classroom with an SEI-endorsed teacher. The school may also provide support from a reading specialist or other specialist as appropriate in order to ensure that the student has access to the curriculum and is provided the same opportunities to master the same academic standards and curriculum framework as their native English-speaking peers. 

  8. The student will continue to be classified as an “EL” on district reports, and will continue to be assessed annually in their language proficiency with the state-mandated English language proficiency test, ACCESS for ELs 2.0. The caregivers will be notified of their child’s participation in such assessments, as well as assessment results. 

  9. The initial opt-out of a student remains active for one school year. According to new guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), caregivers are now required to complete a form annually requesting their child remain opted out of ESL services. The Annual Parent Choice Form also allows families who have previously made the decision to opt-out of ESL, an opportunity to reconsider ESL instruction for their child.

School Immunization Requirements

Please click through the section below to find school immunization requirements by grade:

Students lacking proper documentation of required immunizations shall be excluded until proof of such immunization is provided (102 CMR 7.07 and 105 CMR 220.00). If a child cannot be immunized due to medical reasons, (requires physician documentation yearly) or if a caregiver refuses to have a child immunized because of religious beliefs (requires a caregiver-signed letter yearly), the non- immunized student will be excluded from school during outbreaks of diseases for which the student is not immunized (MGL c. 111, § 3, 6, 7, 109, 110, 112 and 105 CMR 300.00)

  • Lead Screening documentation is required of all students prior to entering Pre-K and/or kindergarten (105 CMR 460). 

  • Physical Examination documentation is required of all students entering grades K, 4, 7 and 9, and yearly for all student athletes.

Records of student vaccines are entered into the Massachusetts Immunization Information System. An immunization clinic is available for students at the Dr. James L. Garvey Parent Information Center (PIC). All state-required immunizations are provided by an RN at no cost. Please refer to the WPS website for hours of operation or call the Parent Information Center at 508-799-3194.

The WPS Nurses will provide first aid and emergency care and/or contact emergency responders (including 911) in an emergency. 

Voluntary Controlled Transfer Policy

Policy for Non-Resident Foreign Students Holding J-1 Visas

School Choice

The Worcester Public Schools participates in the Massachusetts School Choice program. The School Choice program allows caregivers to send their children to schools in communities other than the city or town in which they reside. For the 2025-2026 school year, the School Committee has approved the following:

  1. Student enrollment in the Inter-District School Choice program is based on availability and limited preference will be given to siblings, if the space is available. 

  2. Caregiver is responsible for transportation to the district school.

  3. All K to Grade 12 schools participate in the program with the following exceptions: 

a. Chapter 74 approved programs in the comprehensive high schools 

b. Chapter 74 approved programs in the comprehensive high schools for students entering school choice in grades 9-12 

c. Alternative Pathways Programs 

d. Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Pathway Programs 

e. Dual Language program 

f. Preschool program

  1. Students accepted into the School Choice program may apply for schools on the same basis as resident students, but the Inter-District Choice Plan (Voluntary Transfer) may give preference to resident students in assigning students to schools. 

To obtain information regarding the School Choice program and application, visit the WPS website for the required application. Please note the application deadlines on the website.  

  1. All Pre-K to Grade 12 schools participate in the program with the following exceptions: a. Chapter 74 approved programs in the comprehensive high schools for students entering school choice in grades 9-12 b. Chapter 74 approved programs in the Worcester Technical High School for students entering school choice in grades 9-12.

Student Dress Code Policy

It is the policy of the Worcester Public Schools that the student and their caregiver hold the primary responsibility in determining the student’s clothing choice and/ or hairstyle, headcoverings, jewelry, and personal items (ie. backpacks, bookbags). School administrators are responsible to ensure that clothing, hairstyle, head coverings, jewelry, and personal items do not interfere with the health and safety of others or interfere with each student’s right to attend a positive, inclusive learning environment. 

All students should feel welcome and comfortable in school, yet must come to school with appropriate clothing: 

Top (short, sweater, sweatshirt, tank top, etc.) 

Bottom (pants, shorts, dress, skirt, etc.) 

Footwear (sneakers, boots, sandals, etc.) 

  • Clothing should provide appropriate body coverage, no backless shirts.

  • Clothing should cover undergarments 

  • Student clothing and accessories should be free of graphic language and/or pictures that are pornographic, threatening, racist, sexist, express violent conduct (use of weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco) and express gang affiliation 

  • Race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, and other discriminatory protected groups should be respected and clothing should not demonstrate hate group association and/ or language.

  • Students are allowed to wear hooded sweatshirts without the hood up. 

  • Head coverings such as scarves, durags, hair wraps, cultural and religious headwear are permissible as long as they don’t obstruct the view of the face (unless for medical/religious reasons). Hats and bandanas are not permissible unless for medical reasons.

Career Vocational Technical Education Programs: Shop and Uniform Policy

All trades require specific uniforms or clothing and adherence to workplace standards of appearance beyond the requirements for school dress. Shop instructors, with the respective trade department heads, identify the necessary dress.

Shop instructors, with the respective department heads, have a responsibility to provide a safe shop environment for all students. The Administration enforces these requirements.

Voluntary School Uniform Policy

  1. Voluntary uniform policies must comply with existing School Committee policies on student attire. 

  2. Prior to seeking School Committee approval, a majority of the school council members and the school principal must approve the school’s voluntary uniform policy. The principal will forward the request to the Clerk of the School Committee who places it on the agenda for School Committee approval which then allows the school to implement the policy. 

  3. There will be no disciplinary action if a student does not adhere to the voluntary uniform policy.

Guidance Regarding Videos, Photographs and Televised Broadcasts of Students

Many times, the Worcester Public Schools extracurricular activities and programs are broadcast on Charter Spectrum Channel 191 Worcester Educational Access Television (WEA-TV) and participants may be shown in these broadcasts. Re-broadcasts of all programs may be made throughout the school year at unannounced times. 

In addition, there are times when the news media (print or broadcast) may be invited into schools to film, photograph, or conduct interviews for news articles. 

Additionally, WPS staff members may take photographs during the school day to share on the district or school social media accounts, websites, or in publications with permission of their supervisor. Photographs of students taken during the school day may only be shared publicly if their caregiver has allowed their child’s image to be used for such purposes. Staff shall not share personal information about students that is prohibited by law, such as FERPA.

In regard to after-school sports, WPS is not able to shield students from being photographed during games, which are often covered by local news media and are now live-streamed at certain athletic facilities.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence Policy

It is the policy of the Worcester Public Schools that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited and a moment of silence be observed at all levels on a daily basis.

Enrollment Table of Contents

Student Handbook Table of Contents