Welcome to North Thurston Public Schools! Getting registered and then anticipating the start of Kindergarten can be filled with anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. In this video, Superintendent Clemens goes over some of the basic information on attending NTPS as well as some things you can do at home to prepare for your first day.

Enrollment is not complicated, but does involve a few steps.

1. Find Your School >>
   • Please note: Elementary boundaries are currently under review and student assignments may be impacted beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Learn more about the boundary review. Families who are impacted will be notified by letter. Register at the school that you find in the Find My School Tool above.
2. Download & fill out a registration packet.
3. Bring the seven (7) required documents to your school. See list of required documents >>

All our bus riders must register to reserve their seat. Bus registration will open mid-summer before the fall. See more on the Transportation pages >>

All our bus riders utilize a Smart Tag, a scan card that they scan when they get on and off the bus. Please keep this tag attached to their backpacks at all times for ease of access. Smart Tag info >>

Please familiarize yourself with the bus stop location and pick-up and drop-off times. Bus drivers try to keep Kindergarten students sitting towards the front of the bus, and they are not allowed to be dropped off unless there is an identified adult waiting for them (the must be met requirement can be waived by filling out a form - talk to your office). More Kindergarten Parent Bus Info >>

Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch (students who qualify may also be eligible for waiving some fees). More info >>

How do students pay? Students pay for their lunch with their Smart Tag card they use to ride the bus. Every student receives one (even non-bus-riding students) and is tied to their lunch account.

Adding money to your student's lunch account? Pay online or at your school office! More info >>

Menus? Monthly menus are posted on your school website. More info >>

Special dietary needs? More info >>

A Certificate of Immunization or Certificate of Exemption (doctor-signed) is required for all NTPS students - even those attending our choice schools like Summit or Ignite. Contact your student's doctor or the school health room if you have questions about completing the forms. Visit the Immunizations page >> for forms downloads, required immunization lists, clinic opportunities and more.

Does your student have health concerns or need to take medication at school? Contact your school health room to discuss your student's needs and complete additional required paperwork. Visit the Health Forms page >>

Schools will have a list of a few additional optional supplies. Please check with your child's teacher or your school office.

• 1 box of crayons (24, Crayola brand preferred)
• 1 box of washable markers (12, Crayola brand preferred)
• 1 dozen pencils (Ticonderoga brand preferred)
• 2 pink erasers
• 6 glue sticks (Elmer's brand preferred)
• 1 backpack (no wheels, big enough to carry a folder)

See the full elementary school list >>

We have bulk-purchased the supplies above, and they will be available to purchase for $10 starting in August.

When you're all registered, take some time to work through some of these worksheets with your student. These are exercises, not tests, and a great starting point when you talk to your student's teacher in the fall at Family Connections.

• Letter Flash Cards (PDF)
• Number Flash Cards (PDF)
• Handwriting Practice (PDF)
• Roll It, Say It, Write It (PDF)
• Writing My Name (PDF)

We have two alternative learning opportunities for Kindergarten students:

Ignite Family Academy is an in-person classroom opportunity for families who prefer home-based education. You must still enroll at North Thurston Public Schools, but you will have access to some of our library of in-person teacher-led classroom opportunities. More info >>

Summit Virtual Academy is our fully-online school option. Utilizing the K12 platform, classes are taught by our own teachers! More info >>