Enroll a New Student
Welcome to Elkhart Community Schools!
Elkhart Community Schools defines a "new student" as a student who:
- has never attended a public K-12 school, including incoming kindergarten students
- completed the prior school year at a district other than Elkhart Community Schools
If your child previously went to ECS, but most recently attended school in another district, the child is considered a new student and New Student Registration must be completed.
Enroll a new student to attend the CURRENT school year (ending May 2023)
Register for Current School Year (2022-2023)
Follow the steps below to enroll a new student in Elkhart Community Schools for the 2022-2023 school year. The 2022-2023 School Year ends in May 2023.
- Step One - Determine School Boundaries
- Step Two - Gather Required Paperwork
- Step Three - Complete Online Registration for Current School Year
Step One - Determine School Boundaries
Step Two - Gather Required Paperwork
Gather the required paperwork to complete enrollment:
- An official birth certificate (not a hospital record) or passport.
- Immunization records. Please see the Indiana immunization requirements.
- If enrollment is not made by the biological parent(s), proof of court ordered guardianship or custody (if applicable) with government issued Photo ID of the guardian.
- Proof of residency
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
- Current utility bill
- Current telephone bill
- Bank statement
- Mortgage/Rental/Lease statement
- Medical bill
- Any other like information that provides a verifiable address
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
Note: Please remove personal information from the document other than the parent/guardian NAME and the verifiable ADDRESS.
- If you are transferring into Elkhart Community Schools from a different district, it is helpful to have a transcript from the student's previous school.
Step Three - Complete Online Registration for Current School Year
Enroll a new student to attend NEXT school year (beginning August 2023)
Register for Next School Year (2023-2024)
Follow the steps below to enroll a new student in Elkhart Community Schools for the 2023-2024 school year. The 2023-2024 School Year begins August 2023.
- Step One - Determine School Boundaries
- Step Two - Gather Required Paperwork
- Step Three - Complete Online Registration for Next School Year (2023-2024)
Step One - Determine School Boundaries
Step Two - Gather Required Paperwork
Gather the required paperwork to complete enrollment:
- An official birth certificate (not a hospital record) or passport.
- Immunization records. Please see the Indiana immunization requirements.
- If enrollment is not made by the biological parent(s), proof of court ordered guardianship or custody (if applicable) with government issued Photo ID of the guardian.
- Proof of residency
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
- Current utility bill
- Current telephone bill
- Bank statement
- Mortgage/Rental/Lease statement
- Medical bill
- Any other like information that provides a verifiable address
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
Note: Please remove personal information from the document other than the parent/guardian NAME and the verifiable ADDRESS.
If you are transferring into Elkhart Community Schools from a different district, it is helpful to have a transcript from the student's previous school.
Step Three - Complete Online Registration for Next School Year (2023-2024)
Information for Kindergarten Families
- Kindergarten Information
- Kindergarten Kick Off Night: April 13, 2023
- Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program
- Kindergarten Registration Questions
Kindergarten Information
Kindergarten Kick Off Night: April 13, 2023
What is Kindergarten Kick Off Night?
Kindergarten Kick Off Night is the BEST night of the year! Children who are eligible to start kindergarten next fall are invited to come to their school, meet school staff, see the kindergarten classrooms, visit common school spaces, and practice climbing on a school bus!
When is Kindergarten Kick Off Night for Fall 2023?
Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 6:00-7:00pm.
Where is Kindergarten Kick Off Night?
All 13 ECS elementary schools host a Kindergarten Kick Off Night, so students can see the school where they will attend in the fall!
How do I know which school my incoming kindergarten student will attend?
Visit this page, click on the address look-up tool, and enter your address.
What do I need to bring with me to Kindergarten Kick Off Night?
To complete enrollment, the school will need the child's birth certificate, the child's immunization records, and proof of residency. If you bring these to the school during Kindergarten Kick Off, the school can make copies for your student's file. If possible, this information should be submitted before a child begins attending school.
What forms of proof of residency are accepted?
The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
- Current utility bill
- Current telephone bill
- Bank statement
- Mortgage/Rental/Lease statement
- Medical bill
- Any other like information that provides a verifiable address
Note: Please remove personal information from the document other than the parent/guardian NAME and the verifiable ADDRESS.
Can I enroll my child before Kindergarten Kick Off Night?
Yes! We encourage you to complete the new student registration for 2023-2024! Registration for new students for the 2023-2024 school year is available here:
What if I want to transfer my child to a different ECS school?
Transfers are based on availability. Please contact ECS Student Services to discuss a transfer: 574-262-5540.
What if my child has a babysitter in a different school?
Your child may be eligible for a transfer based on the address of their babysitter. Transfers are based on availability. Please contact ECS Student Services to discuss a transfer: 574-262-5540.
Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program
The ECS Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program will run from July 17-28, 2023 at all 13 ECS elementary schools.
What is the Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program?
The Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program is a half-day program, designed to help incoming kindergarten students learn more about their school before the rest of the students return from summer break.
What are the program hours?
Breakfast is available and will be served at 8:00am. The program will run from 8:30-11:30am. Lunch is available and will be served at 11:30am.
Is transportation available?
Transportation is available for any student who will be eligible for bus transportation during the school year. Transportation forms MUST BE completed and turned into the school by May 12, 2023.
How do I register my child for the Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program?
To be eligible for the Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program, you must first complete online enrollment for the student. After you have completed online enrollment, please contact your child's school to register for the Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program.
Is there a deadline to register?
To ensure appropriate staffing, the deadline for registration for the Kindergarten Summer Readiness Program is May 12, 2023.
Kindergarten Registration Questions
What is the birthdate cut off to start kindergarten at ECS?
Children must be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2023 to begin kindergarten in Fall 2023. Children born between August 2 and October 1 can apply for early entrance.
How do I enroll my child for kindergarten?
Elkhart Community Schools uses an online registration system. Registration for new students for the 2023-2024 school year is available here:
What documents will I need?
After completing online enrollment, your child's school will need to have the following items brought to the school. School hours can be found here.
- An official birth certificate (not a hospital record) or passport.
- Immunization records. Please see the Indiana immunization requirements.
- If enrollment is not made by the biological parent(s), proof of court ordered guardianship or custody (if applicable) with government issued Photo ID of the guardian.
- Proof of residency
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
- Current utility bill
- Current telephone bill
- Bank statement
- Mortgage/Rental/Lease statement
- Medical bill
- Any other like information that provides a verifiable address
- The Indiana Department of Education has sent guidance to all school corporations that in order to claim a student for funding, proof of Indiana residency must be a component of the student’s educational record. The documents provided as verification must contain the student’s current address. The following documents are acceptable forms for proof of residency. Elkhart Community Schools requires TWO of the following documents to complete enrollment.
Note: Please remove personal information from the document other than the parent/guardian NAME and the verifiable ADDRESS.
How do I know which school my incoming kindergarten student will attend?
Visit this page, click on the address look-up tool, and enter your address.
How will I know if my child is eligible for transportation?
Visit this page, click on the address look-up tool, and enter your address. This page will indicate if you are within a "Non Transportation Zone." Students who live within a non-transportation zone are not eligible for bus transportation. If you would like to verify this with ECS Transportation, please call 574-262-5695.
What if I want to transfer my child to a different ECS school?
Transfers are based on availability. Please contact ECS Student Services to discuss a transfer: 574-262-5540.
What if my child has a babysitter in a different school?
Your child may be eligible for a transfer based on the address of their babysitter. Transfers are based on availability. Please contact ECS Student Services to discuss a transfer: 574-262-5540.
My child will turn 5 years old between August 2 and October 1, 2023. How do I apply for early entrance?
Please contact ECS Student Services to discuss early entrance for kindergarten: 574-262-5540.
Information for All New Families
- Before and After Care
- Curriculum Fees and Payment
- Free and Reduced Meals
- McKinney-Vento Act
- School Supplies
- Technology
- Transportation
Before and After Care
- Elkhart Community Schools partners with the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County to provide before and after care service to our students. Students in before and after care will experience programs that are fun and educational, and encourage participation and inclusion of all ages and abilities.
- Before-care is provided by KidsCare (a subsidiary of Boys and Girls Club).
- After-care is provided by KidsCare for students who attend Bristol, Cleveland, Eastwood, Mary Beck, Mary Daly, Mary Feeser, Monger, Osolo, Pinewood, Riverview, Roosevelt, and Woodland elementary schools.
- Students who attend Beardsley Elementary have the opportunity to attend the Boys and Girls Club (Brian and Jeannelle Brady Clubhouse) location attached to the Beardsley for after-school programming.
- For additional information, please visit the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County's website:
Curriculum Fees and Payment
Who may receive curricular assistance and other educational benefits?
The following are ways in which children may be approved to receive curricular material and other educational benefits: children in households receiving SNAP (Food Stamps) or TANF benefits; foster children who are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court; homeless or migrant children identified by the school’s liaison; and households with a gross income that is within the limits of the Federal Income Guidelines.
My child’s application was approved last year. Do I need to fill out a new one?
Yes. Your child’s application is only good for that school year and for the first few days of the new school year. Contact the school corporation for the appropriate deadline. If you do not send in a new application that is approved by the school or if you have not been notified that your child is eligible for free meals, your child will be charged the full price of curricular materials.
Who do I include as members of my household?
You must include all people living in your household, related or not (grandparents, other relatives, or friends), who share income and expenses. You must include yourself and all of your children who live with you. Do not include other people who live with you who are economically independent.
Do I need to apply for every child in my household?
It depends on which schools your children attend. There are two types of application for curricular assistance, depending on the school attended.
- CEP Schools: Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is an alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced price eligible students in high poverty districts for schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Currently, Beardsley Elementary, Roosevelt STEAM Academy and Woodland Elementary are CEP schools. Families whose children attend a CEP school must complete a form for curriculum assistance that is specific to CEP schools. If all children in the household attend the same CEP school, only one form per household needs to be submitted.
- Non-CEP Schools: Families whose children attend a non-CEP must complete a curriculum assistance form. If all children attend non-CEP schools, only one form per household needs to be submitted.
- Households that have a student in a CEP school AND a non-CEP school need to complete both applications (for CEP schools and non-CEP schools).
If my children do not qualify now, may I reapply later?
Yes, you may re-apply any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed may become eligible if the household income drops below the income limit.
How do I apply?
Forms are mailed to a child's primary address each summer. All forms for assistance run through the ECS Food Services Department. Contact Food Services at 574-262-5551 for an application.
Free and Reduced Meals
Elkhart Community Schools encourages all families to apply for Free and Reduced Lunch. In addition to free or reduced costs for meals, additional benefits for qualified households include:
- Free or reduced curriculum fees
- Free broadband-enabled iPads for educational use while at home (based on availability)
- Discounted or waived college application fees
- Discounted or waived fees for standard academic tests, such as the ACT, SAT, and Advanced Placement
- Federal education grants and Title I funding
- Increased funding for the school district in areas like Technology
McKinney-Vento Act
Elkhart Community Schools is committed to all students, including students who are homeless by the standards set forth by McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth. It is important to understand that parents and their children have rights when a child qualifies as a homeless student. Additional information can be found in the following ECS McKinney-Vento District Plan.
Within each building at Elkhart Community Schools, the social worker serves as a homeless student liaison. This person can be contacted to ask questions about eligibility and get connected with services.
Additional information can be found on the Indiana Department of Education website, as well as the U.S. Department of Education website:
McKinney-Vento Liaison for Elkhart Community Schools: Lindsey Brander, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, email: lbrander@elkhart.k12.in.us, phone: 574-262-5540
School Supplies
School supply lists can be found here: School Supply Lists
Technology
- Elkhart Community Schools’ technology department is committed to providing students with technology to help them become career/college ready and life ready. To accomplish this, students graduating from ECS will have been exposed to a wide variety of experiences to develop them into critical thinkers, problem solvers, and communicators. The technology landscape is constantly changing and Elkhart is committed to evolving alongside the technology. Today’s students will be exposed to the following device: iPads, Chromebooks, Windows PCs, and iMacs. In addition, students will be using a wide variety of tools including Google’s GSuite, Microsoft products, Apple’s iWorks suite and other creation tools like Explain Everything, BookCreator, and iMovie to produce digital artifacts of their learning. Lastly, the district has implemented Canvas as its learning management system (LMS), uses PowerSchool as its student information system (SIS) and Google Apps for Education (G Suite) for collaborative writing, creating presentations, analyzing spreadsheets, and cloud storage.
- In order for a student to have access to computers and networks in ECS schools, parents and students must sign and return this form, agreeing to abide by the district’s acceptable use policy. The policy establishes rules regarding what is and what is not acceptable use of the district’s technology systems. You are encouraged to read these documents and ask questions if you find anything that seems unclear. They exist to protect your children, and to ensure that opportunities to use technology will be available for all.
- Every student at ECS will have an iPad. Please contact your child's new school for additional information about securing an iPad.