Enrollment of Students in the Kingsport City Schools
* Registration will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the school your child is zoned to attend. Registration for John Adams Elementary School will be held on March 10 at the Rock Springs United Methodist Church from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Any child whose parents or legal guardians reside within the City of Kingsport may enroll for kindergarten at the zoned school for their legal residence upon meeting the following conditions:
- Child must become five (5) years of age on or before September 30 of the school year
To enroll in a Kingsport City School, the following items must be supplied by the registrant:
- Copy of the child’s official certificate of birth
- Tennessee School Immunization Certificate* (must be current as of January 1); documentation of health/physical examination record and required immunizations must be included
- Proof of legal residency, Including a copy of mortgage statement, rental agreement, billing from a public utility (water or electricity)
- Health Insurance Provider Information (for school clinic purposes)
* Parents of Pre-K students (ages 3-4) must provide a Tennessee Pre-school Immunization Certificate
Kingsport City Schools register kindergarten and pre-k students during the preceeding school year. It is important that you register your child at the appropriate school zoned for your residence at that time.
Certificate of Birth
For children born in Tennessee, the parent may request a copy of the certificate of birth at
www.vitalcheck.com or by visiting the Sullivan County Health Department in Blountville. There is a minimal fee for this service. Applicants will need to supply a picture identification of themself, mother’s legal name, county of birth and hospital of birth.
Children born outside the state of Tennessee will need to request the birth certificate from their state of birth. Contact information can be supplied through the Sullivan County Health Department in Blountville, Tennessee.
A student must be enrolled and registered using the exact name that appears on the certificate of birth or certificate of adoption. Name changes due to the marriage of the student or other court proceedings will be entered in the student’s record upon receipt of an official documentation through the court agency. (TCA 49-6-5106)
Social Security Identification Card
A copy of the child’s social security card may be obtained through the local office of the social security administration. The social security number will be used as a personal identification for the student (TCA 49-6-5101) in Tennessee schools.
Tennessee School Immunization Certificate
The Tennssee School Immunization Certificate serves as verification that all immunizations and health/physical examination are up to date and the child is eligible for school enrollment. This certificate is issued by the Sullivan County Health Department or by your child's physician. No child can attend school in the State of Tennessee without this documentation (TCA 49-6-5003). Please refer to the Immunization Section on the KCS Website for further information.
Proof of Residency Verification
The Proof of Residency form should be completed by each new registrant. Verification of the residence may be made with one of the following current documents that must include the parent’s name and address of the residence.
- Mortgage payment
- Rent receipt
- Property tax receipt
- Public utility billing statement (water or electricity)
Both the completed form and document for verification should be included with the registration. The school has the authority to ask for the Proof of Residency form to be signed and acknowledged before a notary public.
Students Transferring to Kingsport City Schools
Kingsport City Schools will attempt to access records from a previous educational institution that is not a part of our school system. Each school should utilize a “record request” that would be forwarded to the previous educational institution. This document should contain the legal name, grade, date of birth, and student identification number of the student transferring to the Kingsport School. The school will attempt to obtain the signature of the parent or legal guardian, but public law SB182 authorizes schools to share educational information as it pertains to students. The school of transfer should furnish the information listed above that is required for registration of any student in the Kingsport City Schools. The school of transfer should also send any special education or discipline records when applicable.
Student Residence Definition
A student's legal residence is determined based on where the parent or guardian legally resides. In the case of divorce, legal residence of the child is with the parent assigned primary physical custody. Students may not claim residence with other family or non-family members unless a judge of proper jurisdiction has transferred physical custody of the student to that individual, except where TCA 49-6-3001 relating to "Power of Attorney" may be properly applied (see below).
Power of Attorney
A child may be enrolled in school based upon a hardship declaration through “Power of Attorney” documentation (TCA 34-6-3001). One of three criteria must be met in order to qualify for this exception:
1) Serious illness or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian
2) The physical or mental condition of the parent or guardian is such that care and supervision of the child cannot be provided.
3) The loss or uninhabitability of the home through a natural disaster
This parent must have this form signed and acknowledged before a notary public.
