How Do I Enroll My Child in School?

General Information

• All children who are five years of age or over, but under 21 years of age on or before the first day of September and who reside within the San Marcos CISD may attend San Marcos CISD schools.
• A minor student residing in the District but whose parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control under a court order does not reside in the District shall present a Power of Attorney assigning responsibility for the student in all school-related matters to an adult resident of the District.
• Students entering a District school from accredited public, private, or parochial schools after grade 1 shall provide evidence of prior schooling outside the District. They shall be placed initially at the grade level reached elsewhere, pending observation by the classroom teacher, guidance personnel, and the principal. On the basis of these observations and results of tests that may be administered by appropriate District personnel, the principal shall determine the final grade placement.
• "Accredited" shall be defined as accreditation by TEA, an equivalent agency from another state, or an accrediting association recognized by the Commissioner of Education.
• Students entering a District school from non-accredited public, private, or parochial schools, including homeschools, shall be placed initially at the discretion of the principal, pending observation by classroom teachers, guidance personnel, and the principal. Criteria for placement may include:
  • Scores on achievement tests, which may be administered by appropriate District personnel.
  • Recommendation of the sending school.
  • Prior academic record.
  • Chronological age and social and emotional development of the student.
  • Other criteria deemed appropriate by the principal.
• The District shall validate high school credit for courses of transfer students from non-accredited public, private, or parochial schools by testing or by other evidence that the courses meet State Board requirements and standards.

Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School

Registration for both the free and tuition-based program for 4-year-old students is at the Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School located at 1225 Hwy 123, San Marcos, TX 78666. There will be a limited amount of slots available for the tuition-supported program and registration will be on a first come first serve basis.  There are no limits for students who are eligible for the free state-mandated prekindergarten program.  For more information about the Pre-K registration process visit the Bonham Pre-K School Registration Information page.

All San Marcos CISD Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

A child must be five years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year to enroll in kindergarten, or six years of age on the first day of school to enter first grade, or has been enrolled in the first grade, or has completed kindergarten, in the public schools of another state prior to transferring to a Texas public school. Students may be subject to an assessment to determine eligibility for a grade if coming from a private institution.

To enroll a child for the first time, the following is required: 

• certified copy of the child’s birth certificate if the student is under the age of 11. 
  • Other proof of birth (birth certificate, hospital birth record, school records, etc.) are acceptable if the student is 11 years old or older; 
• current immunization records as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services
• proof of residence [i.e. deed, lease agreement, OR a recent utility bill (water, electric or gas)];
• Providing a Social Security card or number is optional. SMCISD will not refuse enrollment of any student opting not to provide a social security card/number. In lieu of a social security number, a state identification number will be provided for educational purposes only.
• photo ID of parent or guardian (Texas law requires that a child must be enrolled by a parent or guardian who has legal control of the student under a court order.)

Registration is handled at the school the child is zoned to attend. For further information, parents should contact the school.  To find out which school your child may attend based on your address, use the Attendance Zone & Bus Information Search.

San Marcos CISD Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)

The following is required for first time enrollment: 

• proof of birth (birth certificate, passport, military record, etc.);
• photo ID of parent or guardian (Texas law requires that a student must be enrolled by a parent or guardian who has legal control of the student under a court order.)
• current immunization records as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services
• proof of residence [i.e. deed, lease agreement, OR a recent utility bill (water, electric or gas)];
• Name of prior school attended; copies of prior school records if available
• Providing a Social Security card or number is optional. SMCISD will not refuse enrollment of any student opting not to provide a social security card/number. In lieu of a social security number, a state identification number will be provided for educational purposes only.

All new SMCISD secondary students will complete the initial application process online beginning August 6, 2018.   The parent and student must then finish the registration process on campus in the Registrar’s office. 

NOTE:  Parents must have a valid email address in order to start the online application.

Birth Certificates

The Texas Department of Health Services provides information on how to order a birth certificate online or by mail.

The City of San Marcos City Clerk’s Office serves as a birth certificate printing location for the Texas Department of Health Services. Certified birth certificates for any individual born in the State of Texas can be issued immediately upon request.

They are located at 630 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, TX, 78666.  Their telephone number is 512-393-8090 and or you can visit the Birth & Death Records page on the city's website.