School-Age Children
In the United States children between the ages of five and 16 are required to attend school. You are not required to pay tuition to enroll your child in public schools; however, other school fees may be necessary. The public school that your child will attend will be determined by where you live. Private schools are also available but tuition is required.
In order to register your child in school you will need his or her birth certificate, school records or transcripts, and documented proof of immunization from a physician noting the day, month, and year of each immunization. Without proof of immunization, children will not be allowed to attend school. All schools are under the jurisdiction of the county in which they are located.
Please review the following links for the surrounding counties in order to familiarize yourself with the registration procedures for your county:
The International Center is an intake center for registration, testing, and placement of all international students new to DeKalb County. Students who were born outside of the United States and/or students who were born in the United States but who speak English as their second language are all considered international. Students born in Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and on U.S. military bases may register at the local schools. When the registration process is complete, including program placement, students are enrolled in their home school.
Language facilitators manage a network of support services specific to the needs of refugee/immigrant/migrant families and schools. Services include:
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interpreting and translation services for school issues in collaboration with the Georgia Mutual Assistance Association Consortium and TransAct Online Document Library
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initial orientation for refugee/immigrant families to introduce them to practical school information
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multi-lingual workshops on various topics of interest for schools, parents, and community
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cultural diversity presentations for parents and school staff members
Translation/Interpretation Services:
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Individual Education Plans (for Special Education students)
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Translation of district newsletter
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School to Home Communication Documents
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Disciplinary/suspension hearings
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Student Support Team meetings at local schools
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Parent-teacher conferences
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Transcript translations
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), Georgia's largest school system, serves more than 159,000 students from pre-Kindergarten through high school. The school system's quest to become a system of world-class schools has not gone unnoticed by the international community. Many international families have moved to Gwinnett because of its outstanding schools and diverse communities.
The International Newcomers Center (INC) welcomes new middle and high school students (grades 6-12) whose first language is not English or who have attended high school in another country. The goal of the INC is to help these students make a smooth transition into Gwinnett schools. The center assesses language and math skills, recommends placement, creates a student profile, evaluates school transcripts, and advises students on course selection. The INC also provides information on graduation requirements, available school programs, and community resources. Contact the International Newcomers Center at (678) 985-5200.
Note: Incoming students at the elementary level (grades K-5) are welcomed and assessed for placement at their local schools.
International students who will reside in and attend school in Fulton County must register with the local school the child will attend.
International students who will reside in and attend school in Fayette County must register with the local school the child will attend.