Registration
Start Here for Registration at NPS
- Enrolling in the Newton Public Schools
- Important Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- English Language Learners FAQ
- Need Help? Contact us
Enrolling in the Newton Public Schools
A few helpful hints for you:
- Prepare by gathering all the required documents noted in the Registration Checklist, found below in Registration Forms.
- Additional informational documents, such as immunization and residency requirements can also be found in Registration Forms below.
- Use your cell phone number when registering so that you can receive a text that will allow you to upload required documents via your smartphone
- After reviewing all the steps on this page, if you are still in need of language assistance, please email our English Language Learners office
- If you need general registration assistance or have questions, please email
- If you need technical assistance, please email
Important Information
- To register in the Newton Public Schools, you MUST be a resident of the City of Newton. Visit our residency page for information on showing residency.
- If you find that your address is in a "buffer zone," please vistit the buffer zone tab for detailed information.
- If you would like your student to attend a school DIFFERENT from your assigned school, visit the School Transfer Requests page for more information.
- If you have moved within Newton, but outside the district in which your student currently attends, you must visit our continuation in placement if you would like your student to continue to attend the same school.
- If your family is new to Newton and a language in addition to or other than English is spoken in the home, your registration process begins in our ELL office. Please visit our ELL page for specific forms and contact information.
- Would you like to learn more about special education and student services in Newton? Visit the special education and student services page.
- Proof of residency does not apply to homeless students and families covered under the McKinney-Vento Act. All homeless families should contact the Newton Public Schools McKinney-Vento liaison who will work with you to enroll your students. The liaison can be reached at 617-559-6121.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each elementary school has an after-school program for the enrichment and enjoyment of children in kindergarten through grade 5. The program is fee-based and separate from the Newton Public School System. These programs, along with some community-based after-school programs, are part of the Newton After-School Association (NASA), which was initiated by school-aged child care directors to create a support network among peers. Families should call the after-school program located at their particular school for registration fees, hours and space availability. Contact information for after-school programs can be found on our After School Programs page..
Kindergarten entry in the Newton Public Schools is for all students who turn five-years old prior to September 1st. Children enter kindergarten with varied learning abilities and experiences. The Newton Public Schools encourages registration in kindergarten for all children who are age-eligible to attend. Massachusetts State Law requires a child must attend school in September of the calendar year in which they turn six-years old.
Each year, the Newton Public Schools considers applications for students to transfer to a school outside of their home ("assigned") district. Out-of-Assigned district placements are limited and made on a space available basis. For more information on the policy, please visit the School Transfer Requests page.
English Language Learners FAQ
Students are placed based on their date of birth, please see the reference chart below. The first year of public school is called Kindergarten, which begins at age 5. The second year of schooling is called grade 1, and grades are numbered sequentially through 12. Our elementary schools have grades Kindergarten to 5, middle schools have grades 6 to 8, and high schools have grades 9 to 12.
2025-2026
Date of Birth: 9/1/20 - today/23
Student's Age: 3 - 5
Grade: PK
Date of Birth: 9/1/19 - 8/31/20
Student's Age: 5 - 6
Grade: K
Date of Birth: 9/1/18 - 8/31/19
Student's Age: 6 - 7
Grade: 1
Date of Birth: 9/1/17 - 8/31/18
Student's Age: 7 - 8
Grade: 2
Date of Birth: 9/1/16 - 9/1/17
Student's Age: 8 – 9
Grade: 3
Date of Birth: 9/1/15 – 8/31/16
Student's Age: 9 - 10
Grade: 4
Date of Birth: 9/1/14 – 8/31/15
Student's Age: 10 - 11
Grade: 5
Date of Birth: 9/1/13 – 8/31/14
Student's Age: 11 - 12
Grade: 6
Date of Birth: 9/1/12 – 8/31/13
Student's Age: 12 – 13
Grade: 7
Date of Birth: 9/1/11 – 8/31/12
Student's Age: 13 – 14
Grade: 8
Date of Birth: 9/1/10 – 8/31/11
Student's Age: 14 – 15
Grade: 9
Date of Birth: 9/1/09 – 8/31/10
Student's Age: 15 – 16
Grade: 10
Date of Birth: 9/1/08 – 8/31/09
Student's Age: 16 - 17
Grade: 11
Date of Birth: 9/1/07 – 8/31/08
Student's Age: 17 – 18
Grade: 12
Yes. Our school year begins in September and ends in June. Schools accept new students during the year.
Newton Public Schools is a neighborhood school district. Each address in Newton is assigned to a school. Students are required to attend their neighborhood school unless approved to attend another school through Out-of-Assigned District or specific program placement.
These documents must have certified translations*:
Photo identification: many passports have English translations,
Birth certificate: a passport qualifies as a certified translation
Immunization or vaccine records and physical examination: if the names of the vaccines are noted using their Latin names and the dates are noted using Arabic numerals, they may be comprehensible in their original form
Medical records, including special education testing
Physical custody documents
These documents may be unofficially translated:
School records: report cards, progress notes, student transcripts
These documents typically come in English because their point of origin is the United States:
MCAS scores
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): request English version from school of origin
Lease agreements
Mortgage Statements
Purchase & Sales
Car Registration & Insurance
However, in the event that you are using any of the above for school registration, and the original document is not in English, expect to be asked to provide a copy in English.
*A certified translation is completed by a professional translator. It usually comes with a mark, stamp, or seal indicating the qualifications of the translator.
Are all of these documents necessary?
Immunizations: students cannot come to school without *proof* of vaccines, if you need to work with a social worker to obtain vaccines call 617-559-4034 and leave a message.
Proof of Residency: if you do not have a long lease, please fill out the Registration Certification forms and have them notarized. Notaries are available at many banks and UPS stores.
Photo ID or Government issued ID for parent/guardian and child: I-94s are acceptable
The above documents are absolutely required for students to begin classes.
When registering for Newton Public Schools, testing typically takes place at the Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460. Testing is done by appointment only.
Need Help? Contact us
- If you need language assistance, please email our English Language Learners office
- If you need general registration assistance or have questions, please email
- If you need technical assistance, please email support
Find Your School
You can find your districted school by following this link:
Important Note! You may see two schools listed in the database under elementary or middle school. This means you live in a "buffer zone." See the Buffer Zone tab more for information on what a buffer zone is and what is means for you and your student.
Buffer Zones
When you register online, you may find that you live in a "buffer zone." A buffer zone is a residence that may be assigned to two schools. This allows the district flexibility in balancing class and school sizes.
Your online registration will automatically note if you are in a buffer zone and provide an opportunity for you to select a preferred school.
Your final school placement will be determined by the assistant superintendents of elementary and secondary education in the spring, as close to April 11, 2025 as possible. Please note that students in these zones do not have a designated home school until such time as they are assigned a school.
To view elementary, middle or high school district maps, visit the City of Newton official Map Library.
Registration Forms
Kindergarten Resources
Early Years are Learning Years (National Association for the Education of Young Children)