Registration
Children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st
must enroll in a public or private kindergarten program unless
the parent or legal guardian signs a waiver or chooses to home
school their child.
Waiver forms are available at the school your child would attend
in the fall. All students entering first grade must be six
years old on or before September 1st. By state law, students
must be in school from age 5 to 17.
To register your child, go to the local school your child will
attend and bring these with you:
- Child’s birth certificate (kindergarten and first
grade only)
- Child’s properly completed immunization certificate
from doctors or county health departments
Some school districts require parents to bring their social
security cards and up to two proofs of residence and other
information prior to registration. |
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Immunizations (Vaccinations)
You children must get the proper immunizations before they
can go to school.
Children can be immunized through their doctors or clinics,
or through the local Department of Health and Environmental
Control (DHEC) public health department. Health care providers
will give you a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization.
You must take this certificate with you when you register your
child at school.
Check with your doctor to make sure that your child has received
the necessary doses of the following vaccines:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
This vaccine is most commonly administered in the U.S. as
DTaP. If your child received this vaccine in another country,
call the DHEC toll free immunization line at 1-800-27-SHOTS
to determine if your child has met South Carolina immunization
requirements.
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles)
Vaccines for these diseases are commonly given in one vaccine
called MMR. Check with your doctor to make sure that your
child has received the proper dose.
- Chicken Pox (Varicella)
Children who have already had chickenpox do not need to get
the Varicella vaccine. History of the disease must be recorded
on the SC Certificate of Immunization.
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
If there are religious, medical or other approved circumstances
preventing vaccinations, a child may be eligible for a Certificate
of Exemption. An exemption may be allowed for a child who has
not received all of the required vaccinations and is now “catching
up” by receiving doses in accordance with DHEC recommendations.
Most certificates of exemption are available from doctors,
clinics, and local DHEC departments. Call DHEC free at 1-800-27-SHOTS
if you have questions.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
and South Carolina DHEC |
