Enrolling in an Oklahoma public school: What you need to know

Parents enrolling their children in Oklahoma public schools should prepare essential documents like birth certificates, immunization records, and proof of residency, with specific requirements varying between districts such as Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Tuesday, January 28th 2025, 3:46 pm

By: Bella Roddy


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Oklahoma parents preparing to enroll their children in public schools must meet several requirements. The steps and necessary documentation may vary slightly depending on the district. Below is a guide covering enrollment requirements for two of Oklahoma’s largest districts: Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) and Tulsa Public Schools (TPS).

General Requirements for Enrollment

To enroll a child in an Oklahoma public school, parents or legal guardians need to:

  1. Provide proof of the child’s age.
  2. Submit immunization records.
  3. Show proof of residency.
  4. Present valid photo identification.

The specific details for OKCPS and TPS are outlined below.

How to Enroll Your Child in Oklahoma City Public Schools

Age Requirements

To enroll in OKCPS, children must meet the following age criteria by September 1 of the school year:

  1. Pre-K (PK): Age 4
  2. Kindergarten (KG): Age 5
  3. Grades 1-12: Ages 6-21

Required Documents for Enrollment

Parents or guardians must provide the following documents when enrolling their child:

  1. Child’s Birth Certificate
  2. The school will make a copy of the original birth certificate to file in the student’s cumulative folder.
  3. If the birth certificate is already on file at the school, this step can be skipped.
  4. Current Immunization Record
  5. Immunization requirements for PK-12 grades are available on the Oklahoma State Department of Health website: https://www.occhd.org/eng/health-services/immunizations.
  6. Two Proofs of Residency Acceptable forms of proof include:
  7. Proof of payment of local personal income or property taxes
  8. Title to residential property in the district, a valid unexpired lease agreement, or rent payment receipts for a district residence
  9. Current utility bills (gas, water, or electric)
  10. A valid, unexpired driver’s license or motor vehicle registration
  11. Voter registration
  12. Photo ID of Parent or Guardian Acceptable forms of ID include:
  13. State-issued ID, driver’s license, Matricula, or passport
  14. ID must be current and include an expiration date.
  15. Previous School’s Withdrawal Form and Academic Records
  16. For students transferring from a non-OKCPS site, include the withdrawal form from the previous school along with a report card or transcript. This helps expedite classroom and schedule placement.

Additional Information Needed for Registration

To complete enrollment, gather the following information:

  1. Household Information: Address and phone numbers (2 proofs of residency)
  2. Parent Information: Work and cell phone numbers, email addresses (Photo ID)
  3. Student Information: Demographics, health details, and medication information (Birth Certificate & Immunization Record)
  4. Emergency Contacts: Addresses, dates of birth, and phone numbers

How to Enroll Your Child in Tulsa Public Schools

Photo Identification

Parents or legal guardians must provide a valid photo identification when enrolling a student. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

  1. Driver’s License
  2. Passport
  3. Consular Identification Card
  4. United States of America B1/B2 Visa/Border Crossing Card (Form DSP-150)
  5. Government-issued Military photo ID (including VA photo ID)
  6. Tribal Photo Identification Card containing the bearer’s signature
  7. Oklahoma License or Concealed Carry Permit
  8. Resident Alien Card
  9. Employment Authorization Card
  10. Temporary Resident Card
  11. Oklahoma Department of Corrections Consolidated Record Card
  12. Oklahoma public, private, or parochial secondary school photo ID (for individuals age 19 or younger)

Only the parent or legal guardian (approved by court or affidavit) who resides in the district may enroll a student. If guardianship or residency documentation exceptions apply, contact 918-746-7500 for assistance.

Proof of Address

Parents or guardians must provide proof of address in their name. Acceptable documentation includes:

  1. A full-page, original, and current electric, gas, or water bill (dated within the past 45 days) showing the service address.
  2. A current, original lease agreement or house contract that includes the property address, tenant names, agent’s name, address, and phone number.

Unacceptable proof of address includes:

  1. Driver’s License
  2. DHS/IRS letters
  3. Bank statements
  4. Checks, including payroll checks
  5. Mail or insurance statements
  6. Written statements from a homeowner
  7. Handwritten bills

Birth Certificate

The child’s birth certificate is required for enrollment in most cases. If there are special circumstances, the enrollment team can assist. Click here for information on obtaining a birth certificate.

Age Requirements

Children must meet the following age requirements on or before September 1 of the school year:

  1. Pre-K: 4 years old
  2. Kindergarten: 5 years old
  3. 1st Grade: 6 years old

Immunization and Vision Requirements

  1. All required immunizations must be completed or in progress. Vaccine requirements are available on the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s website.
  2. Vision screening results from the past 12 months are requested for students entering kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd grade.
  3. The district provides vision and hearing screenings and offers immunizations for students who qualify for the state’s Vaccines for Children program.

Assistance

For any enrollment issues or questions, contact your child’s school or the Enrollment Center at 918-746-7500.

How do I know what each school requires?

Here is a link for each school in Tulsa Public Schools District: https://www.tulsaschools.org/enrollment/how-to-enroll

Here is a link to search for each school in Oklahoma City Public Schools District: https://sites.google.com/okcps.org/enrollment-back-to-school/enroll/2024-2025-enrollment

Other information from school districts you might be interested in:

Edmond Public Schools

Putnam City Schools

Bethany Public Schools

Stillwater Public Schools

Kingfisher Public Schools

Noble Public Schools

Shawnee Public Schools

Norman Public Schools

Moore Public Schools

Jenks Public Schools

Union Public Schools

Broken Arrow Public Schools

Bixby Public Schools

Owasso Public Schools

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