Parents can now pre-register kindergarten students through the School District of Lee County’s FOCUS Parent Portal.

Student Enrollment Executive Director Soretta Ralph said they are piloting the new online option through FOCUS just for incoming kindergarten students. It’s a convenient option for families as they can pre-register from anywhere 24/7.

Families simply have to enter their child’s information and upload the correct documents needed after creating an account.

“Eventually we will do all of our enrollment in FOCUS. We are rolling it out slowly with kindergartners,” Ralph said.

Parents can pre-register a student who will begin kindergarten in August 2023 at https://www.leeschools.net/our_district/departments/academic_services/student_enrollment/kindergarten_pre-registration by Nov. 30. A confirmation email will be sent to the parent after submitted with additional information.

Ralph said they will likely extend the registration, as the district is still discussing a proximity plan and has not made any decisions as to how such a plan will affect school assignment.

The pre-registration documents required include:

• Copy of parent photo ID

• Copy of birth certificate

• Physical health examination that has been dated within 12 months prior to registration.

• DH680-Florida Certificate of Immunization, which can be obtained for free by taking immunization record to the Lee County Health Department, 3920 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers after making an appointment by calling 239-461-6100.

• Social Security card (optional)

• Custody documents (if applicable)

• Proof of address

“We encourage parents to do it because of the convenience for them. They can get it taken care of and out of the way,” she said.

Pre-registration also helps in keeping siblings together. A kindergarten student can be paired with their older elementary sibling at the same school through the pre-registration option.

Pre-registration is off to a bit of a slower start, which might contribute to Hurricane Ian.

“Our numbers are really down,” Ralph said, adding that with students out of school due to the hurricane it slowed down the process. “We are hoping to get that going.”

Ralph said on average they have 5,000 to 6,000 kindergarten students enroll every year.

“Lee County is still growing by leaps and bounds. We are enrolling many families brand new. When storms come, district’s loose families to moving away because of homes and displacement,” she said.

For Lee County many families have moved away and many families are moving to the area.

“We encourage parents to continue to use the portal and get documents in and get connected with other siblings. We want them to have convenience of getting pre-registered and enrolled. “Again it helps the district to know the number of students coming in,” Ralph said.

Those who have pre-registration questions can email studentenrollment@leeschools.net.