Ohio County Kindergarten, Pre-K Registration Opens Jan. 15
Registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes in Ohio County Schools for the fall of 2025 starts at 8 a.m. Jan. 15.
Students who turn 4 on or before June 30 are eligible to start pre-kindergarten, and those who will be 5 on that date should register for kindergarten classes.
Kindergarten is mandatory for 5-year-olds, while pre-kindergarten is a service provided by Ohio County Schools, explained Raquel McLeod, director of student services. She suggests parents and guardians register their children for pre-kindergarten as early as possible. There will be 20 different pre-kindergarten sites throughout the county.
“Because Pre-K is not required, spots are on a first-come, first-come first-serve basis,” McLeod said. “Parents who would like children to attend their home school (or desired school of choice) should register online as soon as possible or call when phones open at 8 a.m.”
Sometimes parents of pre-kindergarten students need collaborative care for their child before or after school, and they may request schools with those services, McLeod said, adding the pre-kindergarten experience can be important to a child’s educational development.
“Pre-K isn’t just about learning their letters and sounds and numbers,” she said. “It is about developing their ability to socialize with their peers and learning how to interact in a school setting.”
Locations for pre-kindergarten classes are still being arranged, as are the times for classes at each location, explained Karin Butyn, public relations director for Ohio County Schools. This information should be available on Friday, she added.
School officials agree the quickest way to register is to fill out an online form that will be posted on the Ohio County Schools website at boe.ohio.k12.wv.us.
They also recognize there are parents and guardians who would rather call in and “talk to a human,” Butyn continued.
A team of secretaries will be set up on the morning of Jan. 15 to take calls from those wishing to register their children. The phone number to reach them will be posted on the website the morning of Jan. 15, she noted.
“We want parents and guardians to feel empowered and excited about the next step in their child’s education,” Butyn said.”Our Pre-K teachers are so loving. As a parent, you are concerned about where your child is going. But when I walk into any Pre-K classroom I can’t help but think I would send my child there in a heartbeat. They love their kids.”