2. Required Documentation

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Student Documentation

Proof of Age, Identity - Verification of Students who have already completed kindergarten (age 6 or 7  by September 1) and have not reached age 21 on the first day of school are eligible for enrollment. Official documents issued by governmental entities located in the U.S. should be used in place of documents issued by entities outside of the U.S. Acceptable documentation includes:

• Birth Certificate or Family Book
• Passport
• Physician's Certificate
• Baptismal or Church Certification
• Hospital Birth Records
• Parent's Notarized Affidavit (sworn notarized statement attesting to the accuracy of the date of birth)
• Official Birth Registration
• Other Legal or Notarized Forms or Identification

Other documents (If Applicable):

• Official Death Certificate(s) of One or Both Parents
• Immunization Records or Vaccination Records 
• Marriage Certificate

Student School Records:  All high school students are initially placed in Grade 9 if no school records are provided. Grade placement can only occur with official school records or transcripts, so that credits can be reviewed and transferred.  More details: IAE Regulation:

• Official academic (school) records or transcript
• High school students are required to submit official school records for any of the following completed years- 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, including all National Exam Results. (This is extremely important as universities will later request the same documents).
• Records must clearly indicate grade level, academic year, and be required to complete the school history on this link. 
• An official letter from the Ministry of Education stating that the student did not complete high school education (if applicable). 

Parent/Guardian information

Identity of the Person Enrolling the Student: The person enrolling the student must present ONE of the following:

• Official Photo Identification and Proof of Relationship to the Student
• Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
• Acceptable proof of relationship includes the student’s birth certificate naming the parent(s) or guardian(s), a court order, a separation agreement, or a divorce decree. 
• Other legal form of identification.

Proof of Residency in Montgomery County

Homeowners: 

A copy of your current property tax bill.  (Available through the Montgomery County Department of Finance at 240-777-0311 or from the Montgomery County Department of Finance).

Renters: 

• A copy of your current lease agreement. 
• If the lease has expired:

✔ A copy of the lease and

✔ A current utility bill

Minimum Rental (Lease) Agreement Requirements

• Full name of the parent/guardian enrolling the student
• Full name of the landlord or property owner
• Complete rental address (including apartment or unit number, if applicable)
• Lease start date and end date, or indication that the agreement is month-to-month
• Monthly rent amount
• Signatures of both the tenant and the landlord/property owner
• Date the agreement was signed

Shared Housing Residents.  If you live with another homeowner or renter who has a bona fide residence within an MCPS school area.

Shared housing with a homeowner: 

✔ A completed, signed, and notarized Shared Housing Disclosure (MCPS Form 335-74)

✔ A copy of the current property tax bill of the homeowner

✔Two (2) official document(s) (dated within 90 days) showing parents/guardians’ names and current address, such as:

• W-2 or pay stub
• Bank statement
• Utility bill
• Medical bill
• Vehicle registration or insurance
• Official government correspondence
• Signed letter from a religious organization on official letterhead

Shared housing with a renter: 

✔ A completed, signed, and notarized Shared Housing Disclosure (MCPS Form 335-74)

✔ A copy of the lease, and two other supporting documents to demonstrate that the parent/guardian or eligible student is living at the address. 

✔ Two (2) official document(s) (dated within 90 days) showing parents/guardians’ names and current address, such as:

• W-2 or pay stub
• Bank statement
• Utility bill
• Medical bill
• Vehicle registration or insurance
• Official government correspondence
• Signed letter from a religious organization on official letterhead

✔ If the original term of the rental agreement has expired,  A copy of the lease and a current utility bill are required. 

3. Intake Specialist Enrollment Clearance

The Intake Specialist plays an important role in helping families find the most accurate academic pathways for students from all over the world, as members of Metropolitan Area Foreign Student Advisors. They carefully analyze all required documents to ensure everything is accurately transferred and aligned into MCPS, before a student is cleared to school.

All documents are securely shared with the school once the student is cleared to school for the additional enrollment steps.  If English language testing or SLIFE screening is needed, the Intake Specialist works directly with the ELD Screening and Accountability Center (ETAC) to schedule the next steps.

Pathways & Referrals

The Intake Specialist ensure students' assets and accomplishments are honored, recognized, and transferred accurately.

• Students who have earned the equivalent of a U.S. high school secondary education are referred to post–secondary pathways, including connections with a liaison at Montgomery College.

• Students who will reach 21 before meeting graduation requirements are provided with optional programs if they decline a comprehensive high school experience.

• Students presenting transcripts from an accredited school may be transferred directly to the school for enrollment. The Intake Specialist communicates with the school staff to complete enrollment in Synergy.

4. English Language Proficiency Screening

Multilingualism in highly valued in our diverse community. English screening maybe identified through the Maryland Home Language Survey to determine if your child would benefit from English additional language development supports at school.

Families will be contacted to set up an in-person appointment at the Rocking Horse Road Center. Testing is conducted one-on-one with a certified ELD/WIDA assessor and usually takes 45–90 minutes.

If needed, students may also be assessed for SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education).

Family Support During Testing

• Parents may attend an orientation session while their child is tested
• Students qualifying for English support in grades 1–8 can meet with an EML Therapeutic Counselor.
• High school students are referred to their School-Based EML Counselor

Families Receive Test Results and Contact the School 

Families will receive the English Language Proficiency Screening results, which include important information about the student and the assigned school.

With these results, families have completed the final step at the International Office. After this, parents should contact the school to finish the enrollment process and get their child started on their new school journey.