AT YOUR REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT:

• Register your child

• Important: The Department of Multilingual Education will review information related to the languages the child is exposed to and, if necessary, schedule a language proficiency test. The purpose of the test is to identify students who will benefit from services for English learners. Language test results will be presented to parents, and we will discuss available programs, the school selection process, decision deadlines, and community resources.

• Discuss the choice process, including the timeline for decision making. You will receive information about your choice form.

• Choice form due by Wednesday, May 13, 2026

TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS:

• Submit all required documents by  Friday, May 8th, 2026

• Complete and submit the Choice Form online by  Wednesday, May 13, 2026
 

TOUR SCHOOLS: MARCH 2026

• Kindergarten families will have the opportunity to tour the elementary schools in March 2026. Please make sure to consult the schedule, which will be available in February 2026, for details on how to reserve your space on these tours.

ASSIGNMENT FORM SENT BY FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026

• If you receive your Assignment Form and choose not to have your child attend Framingham Public Schools, we ask that you please follow the instructions in your assignment email and click on the link that will be in the email, in which you will fill out letting us know that you no longer need the seat for your child.

ATTEND KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION ON  MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026

• Visit the assigned school with your child

• Further details will be sent to you 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

You must be a resident of Framingham to attend the Framingham Public Schools. Before a student is registered for Framingham Public Schools and can begin school, his/her parent or legal guardian must provide proof of primary residence. Temporary residence in the City of Framingham for the sole purpose of attending the Framingham Public Schools will not be considered residency. Because residency may change for students and their families during the course of the academic year and a student’s educational life, the Framingham Public Schools may continue to verify residency after the commencement of classes.

WHAT IF I LIVE WITH A FRIEND OR RELATIVE?

The parent/guardian and owner/renter must complete the Residency Affidavits, and both signatures must be notarized. A notary is available at the Department of Student  Registration and requires the person to be present. The person with whom you are living must submit a Proof of Residency, Proof of Occupancy, and photo identification. 

WHAT IF MY FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A PERMANENT RESIDENCE?

Both the parent or guardian and the owner or renter must complete the Residency Affidavits, and both signatures must be notarized. A notary is available at the Department of Student Registration, and the individual must be present for the notarization. Additionally, the person you are living with must provide proof of residency, proof of occupancy, and a photo ID.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO VERIFY RESIDENCY?
One document from each of the categories below must be submitted.

PROOF OF RESIDENCY:
One of the following is required:
 

• Recent mortgage payment
• Property tax bill
• Current lease
• HUD lease or other public  housing lease (Section 8)
• HUD settlement statement  (closing statement)

PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION
One valid photo identification from the following list is required:
 

• Driver’s License
• State ID card
• Passport
• Military ID
• Other government-issued photo ID

PROOF OF OCCUPANCY
One of the following required: must be dated within the past 30 days
 

• Cable/satellite TV bill
• Electric bill 
• Gas bill
• Water bill
• Home/renter’s insurance

SCHOOL SELECTION AND ASSIGNMENT PROCESS

Students entering Kindergarten in 2026 will continue to be assigned through a Controlled Choice Program. Under the Controlled Choice Program, families are able to choose from among all nine Framingham elementary schools, regardless of when they register, whether it's at the beginning or the end of the registration period from January 5 to May 13, 2026.
During this period, all registrations are treated equally, and school assignments are not based on registration order. Kindergarten assignments will begin after May 13, 2026. 

IMPORTANT: If your child’s registration is not complete, and if we do not receive your child’s school choice by the deadline, your child will NOT participate in the lottery and will not be assigned a school. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

Students who require a specialized program per their individualized educational program will be placed per the guidelines of the Special Education Department in consultation with the family.

Emergent Bilingual Programs are offered at every school in our district. Seats will be reserved for emergent bilingual students at all schools in the district. Students identified as Emergent Bilinguals may be placed at any school, in accordance with Department of Multilingual guidelines and subject to space availability.

Students are placed according to the process outlined below, as space permits:

SIBLING PREFERENCE
An entering kindergarten student with an older sibling who is currently in grades K-4 has a preferred assignment to the older sibling’s school if that school is designated as the first choice, as long as the registration is completed on or before Friday, May 8, 2026, and their School Choice form is completed by Wednesday, May 13, 2026, by 4:00 PM.

NEW FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2026-2027
Current PEL preschoolers at Harmony Grove and McCarthy Schools can stay at their schools for Kindergarten if their family chooses it as their first school option.

HOME DISTRICT
Each student is designated a Home District school based on their home address. If you have questions about your student’s Home District School, please call or email the Department of Student Registration. Some schools may have few or no seats available after siblings and first-choice Home District students have been assigned. 

Dual Language Bilingual Education programs do not have a home district preference. 

Students who live within one mile of the King School may currently qualify for two Home Districts. During the registration appointment, parents will be asked to choose which Home District they wish to designate as their own.
 

LOTTERIES
Conducted for any school where the number of first or second choice requests exceeds the number of available seats.

IMPORTANT KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION

Framingham Public Schools provides a free full-day program for all  Kindergarten students.

PROGRAM ASSIGNMENT FOR  2026-2027

Students who require a specialized program (Special Education or English Language Learner Program) will be placed per the guidelines of each department in consultation with the family.

WAITING LISTS

Dual Language waiting lists for Class of 2039 Dual Language (DL) Programs:
Any student who is not assigned to their requested Dual Language Program will be placed on the DL waiting list(s). Dual language Program waiting lists remain active until the first day of second grade. 

General Education/Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)/Inclusion:
Waiting lists will be capped at 44 students and will be maintained for the top two choices if assignment to a first or second choice is not possible. If the first or second choice school waiting list has reached 44 students, we will add your child to two waiting lists that are not capped at 44 in the order of your numbered preferences from your School Choice form. All General Education waiting lists dissolve on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL TOUR CALENDAR

Families of incoming kindergartners will have the exciting opportunity to visit all nine elementary schools in March 2026, helping them choose the perfect fit. Be sure to check back in February 2026 for the tour dates and times. We're looking forward to welcoming you!

Kindergarten Orientation

Orientation for all new kindergartners and their families will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026. You will receive more information with your kindergarten assignment email. Orientation is generally in the morning and lasts about an hour.

Parent / Guardian Contact Information

Help us go green! Regular updates or new information will be sent by email. Please make sure we have your correct email and mailing information. If you have any corrections or questions, please email us at register@framingham.k12.ma.us

High Needs Students

The new high needs group is an unduplicated count of all students in a school or district belonging to at least one of the following individual subgroups: Students with disabilities, English Language Learners (ELL), and former ELL students, or low-income students (eligible for free/reduced-price school lunch). For a school to be considered to be making progress toward narrowing proficiency gaps, the cumulative PPI for both the “all students” group and “high needs group” students must be 75 or higher.

Economically Disadvantaged Students:

A student is considered economically  disadvantaged if they participate in one or more of the following state-administered programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC); the Department of Children and Families (DCF) foster program; or MassHealth (Medicaid)

MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 2025-2026

DUAL LANGUAGE EDUCATION

The dual language program is a program in which students develop language proficiency in two languages by receiving instruction in English and a partner language in a classroom that is composed of approximately 1/3 native English speakers, 1/3 balanced bilinguals, and 1/3 native partner language speakers. Content curricula are taught in both languages to the integrated group of students.

Here are three key features of the Dual Language Education:

1. The program combines students with varying English fluency levels and teaches them alongside a partner language (Spanish or Portuguese). The standards are the same as general education classes, but with a different language of instruction.
2. Language immersion strategies are implemented by all staff members to ensure that students have complete access to academic content.
3. The program does not repeat lessons taught in one language in the other, resulting in a thorough learning experience.

Dual Language Bilingual Education brings together students with a range of fluency in Spanish or Portuguese (depending upon the program) and English. It follows the same curriculum as general education classes; the difference is the language of instruction. 

• All staff are trained in language acquisition strategies to ensure full access to academic content.
• Lessons taught in one language are not repeated in the other.

Program Goals
The Dual Language Program aims for students to:

• Become bilingual and biliterate in English and the partner language (Spanish or Portuguese). 
• Progress academically according to the same curriculum used in the standard classrooms. 
• Develop positive cross-cultural relationships and positive attitudes toward their own culture and that of others.

Program Benefits
Learning a new language has numerous advantages, such as:

• Enhancing mental flexibility and creativity
• Developing higher-level thinking skills
• Providing more opportunities for future employment
• For those learning English: retaining their native language and culture while acquiring English
• For those learning Spanish/Portuguese: becoming bilingual, biliterate, and socio-culturally competent

TRANSPORTATION POLICIES & PROCEDURES

RIDER ELIGIBILITY

• Students in grades K – 5 who live outside the 2-mile limit of their assigned school must submit a transportation request. A seat will be assigned, and there are no transportation fees.
• Students in grades K – 5 who live between 1 - 2 miles from their assigned school must submit a transportation request as outlined below. (Seats will be offered based on availability.) If requested and approved, a transportation fee will apply or will be waived if the student qualifies for a fee waiver.
• Transportation is not provided to students who live within 1 mile of their assigned school;  consideration may be made if a student has to cross a major road, such as Route 9. If requested and approved, a transportation fee will be applied or waived if the student qualifies for a fee waiver.

RIDER INELIGIBILITY
Students who are ineligible for bus transportation are not guaranteed transportation. Approval of transportation requests for ineligible student riders will be based on space availability.

•  Students in Grades K-6 living less than 2 miles from their assigned school
• All students in Grades 7-12

To determine transportation eligibility for students in grades K-6, please refer to the Ineligible Street Listing.
If you are considered ineligible for transportation, you can still request transportation, and if approved based on availability, you must pay the Transportation Fee or qualify for the fee waiver. You can read about the Transportation Fees HERE.
Requests will be reviewed in the following priority order:

• First: Those living outside the 2-mile limit of their assigned school
• Second: Those living between 1 - 2 miles of their assigned school
• Third: Those living within 1 mile of their assigned school.
   

CHILDCARE TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS
For grades K-5 only
Transportation to an alternate stop/daycare is available for grades K – 5, but is not guaranteed.

• Requests will be reviewed by the Transportation Department. You will be notified of the acceptance or denial of transportation. Please note that transportation may not be available on the first day of school.
• The child must go to and/or from this location FIVE days per week. For the safety of the child, there are no exceptions to the five-day rule.
•  Please be aware that when choosing requested locations, we will assign to the closest corner stop on a bus route. If your child requires an adult to greet them, please be sure the daycare provider is available.
• Framingham Public Schools does not provide transportation to daycare vendors that provide their own transportation: SMOC, YMCA, Suburban Athletic Club, and Boys & Girls Club. Other locations FPS does not provide transportation to are: Kindercare, Learning Zone, and Longfellow Club. FPS does not provide transportation to places of business or workplace addresses.
• If your child is utilizing Daycare Vendor Transportation – SMOC, YMCA, Suburban, Boys & Girls Club, FPS, Transportation will not be available.
• If your child is utilizing the before/after school program 5 days per week at your child’s school, FPS Transportation will not be available.
   

TRANSPORTATION FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

Kindergarten Bus Safety Guidelines

• The driver must see an approved adult at the bus stop. If someone other than the parent/guardian is greeting the kindergarten student, notify the student’s school of the change.
• The parent/guardian of a kindergarten student must be available at the bus stop 10 minutes before the listed stop time. If no one is available at the bus stop to greet the kindergarten student, unless accompanied by an older sibling, they will be returned to the student’s school.
• We highly encourage parents to teach their child to know their name, address, and assigned bus number. We ask that you label the student’s backpack and belongings.
• Safety outside the bus is important - Wait until the bus is stopped before moving toward the bus. The danger zone around the bus is 10 feet; keep your distance until the driver opens the doors to board. If you have to cross the street, go at least 5 big steps in front of the bus, and wait until the driver signals for you to cross the street. Never go back to the bus after you get off of it. If you drop something, wait until the bus is gone.
• Safety on the bus is important – The Law requires that students be seated while a bus is moving. Please teach the student to stay seated to avoid injury, use an inside voice, and follow the direction of the driver. Eating and/or drinking on the bus is not allowed.

Questions about bus transportation?
Contact the Transportation Department at 508-626-9179

SCHOOL HOURS

Start time indicates when school begins.
Early Releases: Lunch is served ONLY at the Elementary Schools.
Half Days: Lunch is NOT served at any schools.
Please note: Transportation changes could affect start/end times at some schools.

EARLY RELEASE DAYS
The District releases students early on specific days throughout the school year. The District Calendar indicates if these are for Parent Teacher Conferences or Professional Development for Teachers. Check the school calendar for specific dates and for which level. Elementary Schools have more early releases than the middle and/or high schools.   

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Framingham Public Schools offers before and after-school programming through the Department of Community Resource Development’s Explorers Program. This is a fee-based program for all Framingham Public School elementary school locations with scholarship opportunities. Registration typically opens in April or May for the upcoming school year. For any questions regarding district-run before and after school care, vacation weeks, non-school day special programming, and summer programming, please contact Heather McCormack, Director of Expanded Learning Time at hmccormack@framingham.k12.ma.us, 508-782-6748 (office) and 774-405-8790 (cell) or Noah Dawson, Assistant Director of Expanded Learning Time at ndawson@framingham.k12.ma.us,  508-782-6081 (office) and 508-686-0104 (cell). 

Visit the Explorers website for more information

EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE