What You Need for School Registration when Moving to a US School

Registration and Grade Level Placement for Kids Moving to a US school

US schools welcome new students coming from all over the world every day. It is one of the unique responsibilities that we, as ESL teachers, enjoy the most. Have you ever wonder how schools will support your child when he/she arrives at a new US school? As an ESL Coordinator, I have had the opportunity to set up a welcoming environment for students that come from around the world to our schools. As an English Language Learner, I remember once being new to a US school when I could speak NO English at all. Below you will find several things to consider before you depart to a US school.

Before You Leave Your Country

Once you decide to migrate to a US school, there are important documents that you will need to gather to bring with you at all times. As a parent, you must make sure to bring with you identification documents that will help identify and connect you to your child. Such documents may include:

• Identification: A birth certificate, an identification card, a passport, or an official document that identifies you as the parent. For your child, you will need to gather and bring with you a birth certificate, a passport, or an official document that identifies the child's name and date of birth. These types of documents are necessary to claim your identity during school registration, or at any time, you may need to identify yourself.

• School Report Card: Before you depart, make sure to request and take a copy of the current report card for each of the children traveling with you. Students in grades Kindergarten to 5th grade may only need to provide a copy of the most recent report card. Students in grades 6th to 12th grade should request copies of all the report cards for each grade level completed beyond 6th grade. Providing all copies of the report cards during a middle or high school registration will ensure that your child is placed in the appropriate grade level and given fair credits for the classes previously taken. At the high school level, this will also ensure that students are not required to take more classes than necessary.

• Vaccinations: All schools in the US require students to have appropriate vaccines before school begins. You will also want to request a copy of your child's vaccination record to bring with you for school registration. A school nurse will review your record to decide if additional vaccines are necessary for registration.

Registration

In the US, school registration and attendance are required or between the ages of 5 and 18. School registration should is necessary as soon as you settle into your new location. Some schools require parents to schedule an appointment to complete the registration, but others may take a walk-in registration without an appointment. To register, you will need to bring identification, school report card/records, and vaccinations mentioned in the prior section.

Additionally, in most school district you will also be required to provide proof of the address you live in or who you are living with. Proof of residence is done to confirm and verify that you are living in the address you are providing to ensure that you register in the corresponding school. A copy of an electric bill or other forms will be required to prove your address.

Grade Level Assignment

During registration, the school will most likely place your child in the grade level he/she was completing in the prior school.

• Beginning of school year: If the student arrives at the beginning of the school year

he/she will most likely be placed in the next grade level

• Middle of school year registration: If a student left their country in 2nd grade he/she would be placed in 2nd grade

• End of the school year: If a student were finishing 2nd grade when they left their country he/she would be placed in 2nd grade for the remaining of the school year

Grade level placement is done based on the student's age level. In some schools, a similar chart (shown here) may help determine grade level placement:

First Days of School

The first day of school can be challenging for a new student in a US school. Most schools will often have a routine or plan that they follow to support during the first days of school. Below you will find some of what our schools may do to help support your child as they enter a US school:

1. Pair student with another student: pair the student with another student that speaks the native language your child speaks. This makes the student feels welcomed and safer, knowing that someone else can communicate with them in their native language. Teachers are often extra careful in making sure the other student is supportive but not burdened by this responsibility.

2. Student shadow with Interpreter: some school districts coordinate an interpreter that can come and spend the day or a couple of hours with your child. During this time the interpreter explains critical information to your children such as cafeteria rules, classroom routines, arrival, and dismissal information and school-related policies and safety precautions. I have seen this particular resource done well-making students feel welcomed and safe in a new school environment.

3. Language Line Interpretation: Some schools use an interpreter that is provided via a translation service over the phone. Although a language line does not replace the personal touch of an in-person, interpreter it is often better than no interpreter is at all. Schools use the language line to explain immediate information when an in-person interpreter is not available.

4. Welcome kit, picture book, or brochure: some schools use a translated welcome kit, picture book, or brochure to share important information with newcomer students. This resource may contain information about the school's everyday routine related to the cafeteria, nurse, bathroom, arrival and dismissal procedures, and class schedules. This resource is often given to the student so that they can refer to the document as needed throughout the day.

The start of a new school can make a student feel a bit overwhelmed and nervous at the same time. Students are faced with new demands and may sometimes struggle to adjust and maneuver a new school system. Talk to your child to help reassure them on this journey and contact your school with questions or concerns. Interpreting services are often available to help parents communicate with schools and teachers.