The Dorchester County Public School System invites parents to register their school age children beginning April 24, 2025, online (see links below) for the 2025-2026 school year.
Internet access/assistance will also be available beginning on April 24, 2025 by appointment at all elementary schools. Please contact the school for more information. Enrollments cannot be processed until ALL required documents have been received.
CHOPTANK – 410-228-4950
SANDY HILL – 410-228-7978
HURLOCK – 410-943-3303
SOUTH DORCHESTER – 410-901-6934
MAPLE – 410-228-8577
VIENNA – 410-943-3775
WARWICK – 410-943-3588
PK Programs
• PK3 programs (limited slots) for the 2025-2026 school year will be available at Maple Elementary, Hurlock Elementary, Vienna Elementary and Sandy Hill Elementary Schools
• Families will be notified on/after July 1st if their child is accepted for the 2025-2026 school year by letter and email.
Age Eligibility
• PK3 students must be 3 years old on or before 9/1/2025
• PK4 students must be 4 years old on or before 9/1/2025
• Kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before 9/1/2025. Attendance is compulsory—exemptions can be obtained from Student Services.
• 1st grade must be 6 years old on or before 9/1/2025
Required Documents
The items below MUST be included:
• Proof of Age and Identity of Student
o Birth Certificate
o Valid Unexpired Passport
o Hospital Certificate (proof of live birth) with name of child and parent
o Parents’ notarized affidavit
o Birth Registration, or other legal or notarized identification for child’s identity and date of birth verification
• Proof of Identity of Person Enrolling Student and Relationship to Student
o Driver’s License
o Passport
o Motor Vehicle ID Card
o Other legal form of identification with photograph
• Proof of Residency
o If homeowner, an acceptable document is a current property tax bill or utility bill with property address
o If renter, an acceptable document is a current rental lease. If the original term of the lease has expired, a copy of a current utility bill with property address or a lease extension should be provided, if applicable.
o If shared housing with a homeowner or renter who has bona fide residence in the County, notarized documentation must be provided
• Proof of relationship to student- Examples include:
o Birth certificate of child which identifies the parents
o Court Order
o Separation Agreement or Divorce Decree
o Other legal form of identification
• Immunization Records and lead testing results
• Prekindergarten: Proof of Family Income (all adults in the household)— Examples include:
o Tax return -1040, W2s, Schedule C/1099
o Pay stubs (one month of consecutive pay stubs required)
o Notarized Employment Letter
o Notarized letter of no income
o Military Income
o Proof of additional income (TCA letter, child support, rental income, unemployment verification, etc.)
• Out-of-District Requests
o Transportation is not provided for out-of-district students
o K-12 students: the deadline to request out of district consideration is April 30th. Only families who move after April 30th and provide updated proof of residency would be considered after that time. A link will be posted in February on the DCPS webpage and removed on May 1st. Letters of confirmation will be sent by June 15th.
o PK3 schools/slots are limited; therefore, no out-of-district requests will be considered for PK3.
o PK4 out-of-district approvals are extremely limited/rare due to income restrictions. The link for PK4 out of district will be posted to the DCPS webpage in May. The deadline to apply is July 20th. Letters of confirmation will be sent by October 1st.
Online Registration Links:
Additional Resources: