Dear Judy

We're considering moving to get into a better school zone for my son to attend a public kindergarten program in Fall 2011. By when do we have to move to establish residency for the Department of Education?

Mobile Mom

Dear Mobile Mom:

It's best to live at the new address for at least two months before the application process begins (this year, it began in February). That way, you should have all the requisite paperwork to provide the necessary proofs of residence. You will want to use the new address on the kindergarten application since changes in address during the process can lead to foul-ups.

Theoretically, you can apply to any school, anywhere in the city - hence the application process. But if your choice is not in your zone and is also very popular, it is unlikely your child will be accepted.  Children do have more than a theoretical chance -- even a right -- to attend their zoned school unless it too overcrowded to accept all zoned kids. Before moving to a specific school zone, check out the possibility of being "capped" out of the school and sent to another in the district.  This spring there is an extensive waitlist at popular schools, with decisions about who will attend being decided by lottery in some cases.<!--more-->

Assuming the school you moved for has no such overcrowding problems, you still have to show that you live in the zone and that your residence gives you priority rights. Because many parents try to "game" the system by using false addresses to qualify for a popular school out of their zone, the DOE has mandated some rigorous proofs and may even investigate to ensure that a child does live where a parent claims he does.

You have to produce two proofs of residenceat registration time, at least one of which must be dated within60 days of the registration. That means, you must be in residence long enough to have received a utility bill, or a letter from a government agency addressed to you. Another option is an original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence.

That said, if you do move at the last minute before registration, or you are a newcomer to the city, you can substitute a letter from the landlord or coop/condo manager attesting to your living there. In that case, an investigation might ensue, with the school officials questioning the doorman or janitor or other residents, to find out if you and your child are known to be living there.

Check out the Department of Education's admissions pagefor their detailed enrollment information, including other documents you must present and who gets priority in admissions.

Good luck!

Judy