Admissions Office and Communications
Q: When will the schools and the Admissions Office open?
A: We will follow the directions of health officials.
Q: Can I make an appointment to come in and speak to the Admissions Manager?
A: At this point, we are unable to have face to face meetings. You may email the Manager at admissions@berkeley.net.
Enrollment
Q: How do I enroll my student when the District Office is closed?
A: The Admissions Office will continue to enroll students via email. Please review the Enrollment Page for instructions on how to submit your documents via email. It is not required to submit documents in person as stated on prior Admissions web pages.
Q: I do not have a computer. Is there any other way to submit my documents?
A: Yes, you can use your smartphone to complete the preference form electronically, take a picture of the documents and email them. There are also free phone applications such as Genius Scan that can be downloaded to help you scan documents.
TK-12 Registration
Q: I have already received my school assignment. How do I register my student at the assigned school when schools are closed?
A: You can register your child at the assigned school site remotely by completing the on-line registration form. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, please communicate with the assigned school’s administrative assistant. Please allow 48 hours for the school to respond to your email. School Administrative Assistant Contact Information.
High School Registration
Q: How do I register my student at Berkeley High School during the school site closure?
A: You will be provided instructions once you have completed the enrollment process with the Admissions Office. To begin the process please review the Enrollment Page for instructions on how to submit your documents via email.
Lottery and School Assignment
Q: When will the Lottery’s Round 1 school assignments be mailed?
A: Round 1 assignments will be mailed to parents/guardians in mid-March.
Q: What do I do if I have not received my Round 1 letter, how do I request a copy?
A: To request a copy of the Round 1 assignment letter, please email the Admissions Office with your student’s name, grade and address at admissions@berkeley.net and a new letter will be emailed to you.
Q: When is the Lottery’s Round 2 deadline?
A: The deadline for the second round of student assignments is May 14, 2021.
Q: My student is on the waitlist. How can I get an update?
A: You can get an update by contacting the Admissions Office at waitlist@berkeley.net
Inter-District Permits
Q: My child is not currently attending a Berkeley Unified School District school, can I submit for an interdistrict transfer?
A: If you do not reside in Berkeley, you must first obtain an inter-district permit from your current public school of residence. Approved inter-district permits can be faxed (510-644-7753) or emailed to admissions@berkeley.net In addition to the inter-district permit, you will also need to submit the student’s grades, attendance, and behavior records from the current school. Please see inter-district permit process here.
Q: My child is currently attending Berkeley Unified School District on an inter-district permit. How do I submit next year’s permit?
A: Inter-District permits must be renewed each school year. It is an annual permit and must be on file for each school year. We understand that school district offices are closed. Please request and submit the inter-district permits as soon as your home district opens. The approval of the inter district permit is contingent on a student maintaining satisfactory standards of academic progress, behavior and attendance. The permit can be revoked at any time if these standards are not met. Completed and approved permits can be faxed to (510-644-7753) or emailed to admissions@berkeley.net
School Registration Documentation
Q: Will extensions or waivers be granted for paperwork including immunizations, dental/health forms?
A: Currently BUSD is not authorized to grant waivers for immunizations or dental/health requirements. Should BUSD be authorized to grant immunization waivers, we will proceed accordingly.
Oficina de Inscripciones y Comunicaciones
P: ¿Cuándo se abrirá la Oficina de Inscripciones?
R: Seguiremos las direcciones del Departamento de Salud de Berkeley y órdenes estatales.
P: ¿Puede hacer una cita para hablar con el manejador en persona?
R: Desafortunadamente por ahora no podemos tener citas en persona. Sin embargo le puede mandar un correo electrónico a esta dirección admissions@berkeley.net.
Matriculación
P: Cómo matriculo a mi hijo/a cuando la Oficina de Inscripciones está cerrada?
R: La Oficina de Inscripciones continuará inscribiendo estudiantes. Revise esta página para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo enviar sus documentos por correo electrónico. Mientras las oficinas están cerradas, no es necesario que presente documentos en persona.
P: Yo no tengo una computadora. ¿Hay otra manera de someter mis documentos?
R: Sí, usted puede tomar una foto de sus documentos con su teléfono inteligente para enviarlos por correo electrónico. También hay aplicaciones como Genius Scan la cual Ud. puede bajar del internet e instalar en su teléfono celular.
Registro Para Estudiantes en Grados TK-12
P: Yo recibí una carta indicando la escuela que asistirá mi hija/o. Cómo registro a mi hijo/a cuando las escuelas están cerradas?
R: Usted puede registrar a su niño/a sometiendo su forma registration form electrónicamente. Por favor comuníquese con la secretaria de la escuela donde se le asignó a su niña/o. Si tiene más preguntas acerca de la registración de su hija/a vea la lista de secretarias aquí School Administrative Assistant Contact Information. Por favor permita 48 horas para que se le responda.
Registro para la Berkeley High School
P: Cómo registro a mi hijo/a cuando Berkeley High está cerrada?
R: La Oficina de Inscripciones le proveerá instrucciones de como completar el proceso electrónicamente. Revise esta página para obtener instrucciones sobre cómo enviar sus documentos por correo electrónico.
Lotería y Asignamiento
P: Cuando enviarán las cartas de la primera ronda de matriculación indicando donde se asignó a mi hija/o?
R: Las cartas se mandaron a los padres de familia/tutores a mediados de marzo.
P: Si perdí o no recibí mi carta donde se asignó mi hijo/a, pueden pedir otra?
R: Por favor mande un correo electrónico a la oficina de Inscripciones admissions@berkeley.net con el nombre de su estudiante, grade y domicilio y le mandaremos otra carta.
P: ¿Cuándo es la fecha límite para la segunda ronda de asignaciones?
R: La fecha para la segunda ronda de matriculación estudiantil es el 14 de mayo 14 del 2021.
P: Mi hijo/a está en la lista de espera. ¿Como puedo saber su lugar en la lista de espera?
R: Por favor comuníquese con la Oficina de Inscripciones por medio de un correo electrónico y le diremos su lugar en la lista de espera (waitlist@berkeley.net).
Permisos Entre Distritos Escolares (inter-district Permits)
P: Mi hijo/a está no está asistiendo una escuela en el Distrito Escolar de Berkeley. ¿Puedo someter un permiso?
R: Si usted no vive en Berkeley y quiere que su hija/o asista una escuela en Berkeley por medio de un permiso, usted debe de solicitar un permiso del distrito escolar donde usted vive. Cuando el permiso sea aprobado, usted lo puede mandarlo por fax al 510-644-7753 o por correo electrónico a admissions@berkeley.net. Además del permiso necesita mandar las calificaciones, comportamiento y asistencia del estudiante de la escuela donde está matriculado mi hijo/a este año.
P: Mi hijo/a está asistiendo una escuela en Berkeley con un permiso entre distritos. ¿Como entrego mi permiso para el año escolar 2001-22?
R: Permisos se deben de renovar cada año escolar. Si su permiso ya fue aprobado, lo puede mandar por fax (510-644-753) o por correo electrónico a admissions@berkeley.net. Comprendemos que las oficinas de otros distritos escolares están cerrados. Por favor pida su permiso en cuanto se abran las oficinas y envíelo a la Oficina de Inscripciones en Berkeley.
Documentos Necesarios Durante el Registro en la Escuela
P: ¿Se darán extensiones para entregar las vacunas, examen físico o dental? ¿Será necesario entregar comprobante de vacunas y examen físico y dental?
R: Por ahora BUSD no puede dar extensiones. Los padres de familia o tutores deben de someter comprobante de vacunas, examen físico y dental. Será necesario entregar comprobante de vacunas, examen físico y dental cuando se abran las escuelas nuevamente.
Can my child attend a Berkeley Public School?
Children who reside in Berkeley may attend Berkeley Public Schools. In order to ensure placement for all Berkeley children, we need three proofs of residency to start the admission process. If your child does not reside in Berkeley you may request an inter-district transfer from your school district. Inter-district transfers are considered after Berkeley residents are placed.
What if I do not live in Berkeley and want my children to attend a BUSD school?
Non-Berkeley residents will be considered after all Berkeley residents are placed and if there is space available in the requested grade. Permission for an inter-district transfer must first be granted from the school district in the city where the child resides before being considered for placement in a Berkeley Public School.
What elementary school is my student going to attend?
Elementary schools are divided into three attendance zones and assignments are made through lottery:
Northwest Zone: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Jefferson, Rosa Parks and Thousand Oaks
Central Zone: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Cragmont, Malcolm X, Oxford and Washington
Southeast Zone: Emerson, John Muir, and Malcolm X
District-wide: Sylvia Mendez (formerly LeConte) Two Way Immersion Elementary School (open to incoming kindergarten students from all Berkeley attendance zones)
Your child will be assigned to an elementary school in his/her attendance zone or Sylvia Mendez Elementary Two Way Immersion.
Where do I start with the admissions process?
Review our Enrollment page for detailed enrollment information.
What percentage of families gets their first choice of placement?
About 72 percent of Kinder families get their first choice of school through round 1 of the lottery.
What if I am unhappy with my student’s placement school? Is there an appeal process?
You may request to place your student on a waitlist for one or more schools. Should you have extraordinary circumstances, please provide them in writing in order for the admissions manager to review.
Is there sibling priority for school placement?
Yes. Assigning siblings to the same school is a priority for the District and all attempts are made to assign siblings to the same school. We want our families to be fully engaged in their school community.
What proof of Berkeley residency is required for admission?
Three approved proofs of Berkeley residency must be shown at the time of enrollment. Click here for details.
What if I have moved to a new address?
If moving within Berkeley, you must provide the Admissions Office with three proofs of Berkeley residency at your new address. If moving outside of Berkeley, submit an Inter District Permit.
If I don’t speak English, who can help me in admissions?
Spanish speaking staff are available in our office. In addition, a multi-lingual phone line is available to provide immediate interpretation in other languages.
How long does the process take for my student to be placed?
If an admissions application is made on or before the first Friday in February deadline, your child’s school assignment letter will be sent home by mid-March. Please be sure to inform the Admissions Office of any change of address or phone number so you do not miss critical information about your child’s enrollment.
What if I enroll after the first deadline or late in the year? Is the process the same or are most spaces already filled?
School placement is always made within the confines of our student assignment policy and late registration reduces the likelihood that space is available at your schools of choice.
Does my child need to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten?
The passage of California’s Senate Bill 1381 changed the age of children eligible to attend Kindergarten. Children turning 5 after September 1 are no longer eligible for Kindergarten in the Fall of that year.
If your child is 4 years old and will turn 5 between September 2nd and February 2nd, then they are eligible to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten. TK provides a blend of pre-K and Kindergarten curriculum to ease the transition to Kindergarten the following year. Families whose child participates in the Transitional Kindergarten Program must also apply for Kindergarten enrollment the following school year so they can be assigned to their K-5 school.
Where is Transitional Kindergarten located?
The location for the Transitional Kindergarten varies each year according to space. Students who enroll in Transitional Kindergarten are assigned to the program and school for only one year.