Students & Families

• The Alabama compulsory attendance law requires all children between the ages of 6 - 17 to attend school.
• Enrollment to pre-kindergarten is open to all children four (4) years of age on or before September 2nd* who are residents of the school zone in which they reside.
• Enrollment to kindergarten is open to all children five (5) years of age on or before September 2nd* who are residents of the school zone in which they reside.
• Enrollment to first grade is open to all children six (6) years of age on or before December 31st who are residents of the school zone in which they reside.

*While the Code of Alabama states that the enrollment birthdate is September 1st, an Attorney General's opinion states in effect that under the common law one's age is computed by including the day of birth so that a given age is attained the day before the birthday anniversary. [Ala. Code 16-28-4 (1975)] Interpretation based on Attorney General of Alabama October - December 1963, Volume 113, page 20.

Required Documents

All students who seek to enroll in a TCSS school for the first time must present to the principal the following documents (Policy 5.10):

• an official birth certificate or other document for age verification purposes in kindergarten and 1st grade (examples: U.S. or foreign birth certificate; religious, hospital, or physician’s statement; baptismal certificate; adoption record; previously verified school records; or other record acceptable to the school principal). Failure of the parent/legal guardian to provide a birth certificate will not deny, nor delay, a student’s enrollment.
• proof of residence of the parent(s), legal custodian(s), and/or legal guardian(s)s to show residency in the school zone. Falsification of residency is prohibited by Alabama Law [Section 13A-10-109]).
• recent report card or release from last school attended. The school principal shall determine grade placement of students from a private or non-public school or from home education based on state regulations and Tuscaloosa County Board of Education rules regarding transfer of credit as well as other factors including test data, age, and previous school records.
• copy of current immunization form. Immunization certificates, required by Alabama law, must be presented to the principal before a child can enroll in public school unless the child is determined to be McKinney-Vento or qualifies for ESL. Certificates are available from local physicians or local health departments. Only students presenting a Certificate of Medical Exemption or a Certificate of Religious Exemption are excused from this requirement.
• valid social security number. Providing a social security number for school enrollment purposes is completely voluntary and failure to do so will not deny, nor delay, a student’s enrollment. The use of a social security number is solely for the purpose of identification of a student in our student management system. A unique identification number can be assigned by the local school system for any student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) do not wish to provide that information. 
• proof of custody or guardianship when warranted (see section regarding establishing residency)
• verification from principal of transferring school that the student is not currently suspended or expelled. Regardless of age, when a student facing some type of disciplinary action is withdrawn from school prior to receiving the punishment, said student (and his/her parent/legal guardian) should be informed that prior to admission/readmission to any Tuscaloosa County school, the disciplinary action would have to be completed. This includes any suspension, work assignment, or referral to the Superintendent or Board of Education for a hearing and applies to students re-enrolling in the Tuscaloosa County School System or who are enrolling from another school system.
• complete enrollment/transfer form

Note: Exceptions may be granted as provided in Alabama statutes and federal law.

• Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, students up to age 19 who are on track to graduate can no longer be denied enrollment in county school systems solely based on their age.  School personnel will complete a transcript audit with the student to determine the student's standing with credits and needs to meet graduation requirements.
• Based on the IEP team's decision, students with disabilities may return to the school district up to the age of 21 to address transition services (only applies to students working towards essential and alternate achievement pathways).

• In Alabama, students are not required to attend Pre-K and funding is not provided as it is on a comprehensive basis for kindergarten through twelfth grade.  The Tuscaloosa County School System places a high value on Pre-K programs and will continually strive to provide and expand Pre-K services as possible.  As such, opportunity for enrollment into Pre-K classes in the Tuscaloosa County School System is on a limited basis.
• A child whose fourth birthday is on or before September 2nd shall be eligible to apply for admission to the Pre-K Program. 
• Completion of a Pre-K application does not guarantee that a child will be enrolled, but instead places the child on a list for the school's random selection drawing, per Office of School Readiness (OSR) guidelines. 
• Priority will be given to students who live within the school's attendance zone.  Should there not be sufficient interest to fill open Pre-K class(es) within the school's attendance zone, students within the entire Tuscaloosa County School System may be considered. 
• Eligible special education students (ages 3 - 5) will be served according to their Individual Education Program (IEP).

The Tuscaloosa County School System utilizes an online enrollment program called InfoSnap, a registration program designated to improve efficiency. Implementing this customized online solution will streamline new and annual student registration through seamless integration between INFOSNAP and the Tuscaloosa County School System's student information system.

Access 2024-2025 New Student Registration (English)

Access 2024-2025 New Student Registration (Spanish)

Access 2024-2025 Returning Student Registration (English)

Access 2024-2025 Returning Student Registration (Spanish)

Definition of Residence

For school attendance purposes, definition of residence is that the student physically resides full time, weekdays/nights, and weekends, at a place of abode located within the limits of the school district or zone. All students will register at the school they are assigned to attend. The parent or legal guardian will provide evidence of residence and the school district administration will verify bona fide occupancy.

A student must attend the school(s) within the school zone in which his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) has established legal residence, except when school assignment has been approved as a part of the system-wide instructional program, under the employee transfer provision, or when a senior whose parent(s) or guardian(s) establishes residence outside the area served by the School System or outside the school zone. At the discretion of the parent(s) or guardian(s), the student may complete his/her senior year at the school he/she currently attends. The School System shall not be responsible for the student's transportation. Exceptions may be granted as provided in Alabama statues and federal law.  

A student enrolling or entering the school district will be required to verify his/her residence address as a part of the registration process. Students are not legally enrolled until the verification of residence has been completed. Students, their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) may be required to provide a Declaration of Residence on forms to be established by the Superintendent or his/her designee. When the actual residence of a student comes into question, the Director of Student Services or his/her designee may investigate and in his/her discretion, require additional proof of full-time, actual residency within the attendance zone or county, as the case may be.  

Establishing Residency   

A. Students Living with Parents or Legal Guardians

The parent or legal guardian of a student seeking to enroll in a school will provide the school district with a mortgage document, property deed, or an apartment or home lease and any one of the items (1) through (4) below as verification of their address:

1. Utility bills (water, gas, electricity);
2. Personal visit by a designated school district official;
3. Filed Homestead Exemption Application form; and/or
4. Any other documentation that will objectively and unequivocally establish that the parent or legal guardian resides within the school district. Any document with a post office box as an address will not be accepted. An affidavit will not be accepted as proof of residency. If the student has a legal guardian, a copy of the court order appointing the guardian must be provided to the district. If a petition for guardianship has been filed and the decree is pending, the student or guardian must provide a certified copy of the filed petition for guardianship.  Any legal guardianship for the purpose of establishing residency for school attendance purposes shall not be recognized.

B. Homeless Child/Unaccompanied Youth

When a child is determined to be homeless as defined by the Stewart B. McKinney, Act 42 USC Sections 11431 (1), 11432 (e)(4), and 11302 (a), the school district will consider and take the enrollment action that is in the best interest of the child pursuant to 42 USC 11432 (e)(3).

C. Students Living with Adults other than Parents or Legal Guardians

The non-parent(s) claiming district residency must meet the same criteria as that of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) as stated in Part A. The adult must provide the school with legal guardianship or custodial papers and provide documentation fully explaining the reason(s) (other than school attendance zone or district preference) for this arrangement. The Superintendent or his/her designee will make the necessary factual determinations. Examples of situations where guardianship authority of an adult will be recognized to establish residency of the minor include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. death or serious illness of the child's parent(s) or guardian(s);
2. abandonment of the child;
3. child abuse or neglect;
4. seriously unstable family relationships or undesirable conditions in the home of the child's parent(s) or guardian having a documented detrimental effect on the child;
5. students enrolled in recognized exchange programs residing with host families; 
   and/or
6. incarceration of a parent.

Any person who has assumed responsibility for the care and custody of the child shall be expected to begin the process of seeking legal guardianship before enrollment of the child and an approximate completion date must be given. Any legal guardianship formed for the purpose of establishing residency for school attendance purposes shall not be recognized.

D. An adult student (at least 19 years of age) may establish a legal residence based on applicable state laws.

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District Requirements & Non-Compliance

The requirements as stated in this section are minimal and the Tuscaloosa County School System reserves the right to require additional documentation and verification at any time. The principal of a school is responsible for ensuring that only students eligible to attend that school are in fact enrolled and attending. Any suspicion of violation of residence requirements will be investigated. Any case that cannot be resolved by the principal will be referred to the Director of Student Services or his/her designee for additional investigation and further action. Students enrolled in a school without proper residence verification and without an approved transfer will be withdrawn from the school in which they are illegally enrolled.  

*Copies of court ordered agreements restricting visitation from non-custodial parent(s) must be filed in the main school office.  

Alabama law requires that immunization certificates be presented to the principal before a child can enroll in public school. Certificates are available from local physicians or local health departments. Only students presenting a Certificate of Medical Exemption or a Certificate of Religious Exemption are excused from this requirement.

Students Transferring from a Different Academic Calendar

The high schools in the Tuscaloosa County School System operate on a schedule that allows students to complete eight credits each year. Transfer students who enroll from a different academic calendar will be placed in the most closely matched courses to earn the student the maximum credit possible. Due to state mandates that require a student to pass specific content in the core courses and state guidelines that will not allow a student to receive credit for a course for which he/she has already received credit, it will at times be impossible to receive eight credits in a transfer year.

The students must be aware that the later in the semester one enters, the more difficult the task of making up work and/or mastering content necessary for successful completion of all courses. The responsibility for mastering content already presented prior to the student's enrollment rests with the student. Teachers will make information and materials available to students and will assist newly enrolled students in any ways which are practical; however, re-teaching of previous content, administering additional tests, or reviewing the course is not practical.

The following placement procedures shall apply to all students transferring into the school system:

Transfers from Accredited Schools

1. A student transferring from a public or non-public school accredited by AdvancED Accreditation Commission (NCA Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission, and the SACS Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement) will have credits accepted without validation upon receipt of official transcripts (AAC 290-3-1-02 (7)(d)).
2. The decision about grade placement (K-12) will be based solely on the grade classification of the student at the school previously attended.

GPA Determination for Transfers from Accredited Schools

1. Transfer student coming in with AP/IB courses: Students receive the weight indicated on the transcript for AP/IB courses. The transcript is not changed. However, weight is not to exceed 1.0 for AP/IB and 0.5 for Honors.
2. If former school did not give weight for Honors courses, do not give weight. The transcript is not changed. If additional weight was not added for honors courses at former school, no weight will be added. Exception: Weighted credit of 1.0 may be given for AP/IB courses even if former school did not give weight.
3. Students transferring into Tuscaloosa County School System for the senior year are not eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian.
4. Accept grades submitted along with grading scale (cannot change a grade - for example, if grade submitted is 74-D, cannot change this to a C based on Tuscaloosa County School System's grading scale).
5. If former school awarded weight for elective courses, no weight will be awarded by the Tuscaloosa County School System. Exception: Weighted credit of 1.0 may be given for AP/IB elective courses if former school awarded weight.

Transfers from Non-Accredited School Settings

Grades K-5

Using all available records and nationally standardized tests, if available, from the sending school, the principal or his/her designee shall determine placement. The process for making decisions about grade placement may take into consideration a variety of factors, including age, maturity, motor coordination, capacity for learning, and academic progress. If there is a question about a transfer student's placement, he/she may be assigned to a lower grade for a three (3) to six (6) weeks evaluation period. Based on the student's performance during this evaluation period, placement may then be changed to the appropriate grade level for a probationary period. Final grade placement will be determined after this probationary period.

Grades 6-8

Using all available records and nationally standardized tests, if available, from the sending school, the principal or his/her designee shall determine placement.

Grades 9-12

To allow transfer of credits and/or determine the appropriate class/grade placement of a student transferring to this system from a non-accredited or home school, the following shall be implemented:

1. Credit for all elective courses shall be accepted without validation.
2. Uncontested credit for core courses (English, mathematics, science and social studies) shall be transferred as follows:
   • Using all available records and nationally standardized tests, if available, the principal or his/her designee shall determine the appropriate placement and then notify the student and the parent/guardian.
   • For any initial core course the student completes successfully in this system, he/she shall be permitted to transfer in that subject area all previous credits earned at a non-accredited or home school.
3. Contested credit for core courses (English, mathematics, science and social studies) shall be transferred as follows:
   • The principal or his/her designee shall supervise the administration of the school systems' content-based course specific validation test. For each validation test passed, the student shall be placed in the next level core course and credit for the prerequisite course(s) shall be transferred. Once a grade-level has been validated, all preceding courses in that content area are recorded as validated.
4. In the event of the existence of controversial records/transcripts and/or the absence of any official or notarized records/transcripts, the principal or his/her designee shall supervise the administration of the school systems' content-based course specific validation test. For each validation test passed, the student shall be placed in the next level core course and credit for the prerequisite course(s) shall be transferred. Once a grade-level course has been validated, all preceding courses in that content area are recorded as validated (Policy 4.80).

Senior Transfer Students

Except in a case of bona fide change of residence or other circumstances equally valid for making an exception, a student is not to be graduated from high school unless he/she has been in continuous attendance therein during the entire high school year immediately preceding the date of graduation.

Students Entering Who Have Not Attended Any School Previously This Year

Students who are not seventeen (17) and enter after day five (5)

If it can be documented that a student is transferring from a school system which had just started school (no more than five days into the semester) then the student may register. His/her semester average will be calculated by the average of the grades received after registration. The responsibility for mastering content already presented prior to the student's enrollment rests with the student. Teachers will make information and materials available to students and will assist newly enrolled students in any ways which are practical. However, re-teaching of previous content, administering additional tests, or reviewing the course is not practical. If a student has been truant from this or other school systems, the student will receive a zero for each grade that the student has missed. These zeros will be averaged in with the grades he/she earns from that point.

Students who are over seventeen (17) and enter after day five (5)

Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, students up to age 19 who are on track to graduate can no longer be denied enrollment in county school systems solely based on their age. School personnel will complete a transcript audit with the student to determine the student's standing with credits and needs to meet graduation requirements. Based on the IEP team's decision, students with disabilities may return to the school district up to the age of 21 to address transition services (only applies to students working towards essential and alternative achievement pathways).

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Athletic Eligibility of Transfer Students According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)

A student who enrolls in one school and later transfers, or enrolls in, another school shall not be eligible immediately to represent the latter school in any athletic contest. See the section pertaining to Eligibility for Participation in Extracurricular Activities for a detailed explanation. The rules and regulations for athletic eligibility for transfers according to the Alabama High School Athletic Association may be found at www.AHSAA.com.