Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) Admission Board Policy (BP 5111/AR 5111) is to place students in the grade corresponding to their birth date, which is established by California law (Education Code). Please consult the Grade Placement By Birth Date chart (below) to determine the grade corresponding to the birth date listed on your student’s identification you will be providing at the registration appointment (birth certificate or passport).
- Grades 1 - 12: If the grade listed in the below chart is different from that prescribed by your student’s current or past school grade, parents must bring evidence to the registration appointment of successful grade completion, or existing grade enrollment, from previous schools (such as a report card, or an existing enrollment report, or transcripts, etc.). If not in English, an English version, translated by a professional, must be included.
- Kindergarten: Students with a birth date that qualifies them for a kindergarten enrollment, but who will have completed a year of kindergarten in the U.S. by June (public or private), may be enrolled in 1st grade at parent's request and upon presentation of supporting documentation. All other students, including international kindergarten students, will be placed by age only.
If no evidence is provided, your student will be placed in the grade listed in the below chart at the time of registration. Any subsequent grade change must be discussed with the PAUSD school in which your child is enrolled after registration.
High school students entering the second semester of 9th grade, or entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grades, must have an official student transcript from the previous school available for the meeting with a guidance counselor to register for classes. If not in English, an English version, translated by a professional, must be included.
Please contact Registration Services with any questions: RegistrationServices@pausd.org; (650) 329-3707.
