Registration

Need Further Assistance?  Please contact our Registration Help Desk:

• Contact Form for Student Services: Student Services Contact Form

• Phone: 901-867-5412 (ext. 7431)

• Asistencia en Español: Contacto Karin Deleon

• In-person appointments are available for technology and language support.

For parents of current students, click the following link to register your child(ren) for the new school year: Skyward Family Access (New)

Registration Eligibility Information

LSS Kindergarten Eligibility Information

Understanding Shared Residency Eligibility

Shared Residency is intended for families whose only primary residence is shared with a district resident. Please note that families are not eligible for this status if any of the following apply:

1. Multiple Residences: You own or lease another home, or have active utilities at a residence outside the district.

2. Parental Households: One parent maintains a separate residence. Note: If parents are living apart due to legal separation or divorce, official legal documentation must be provided to qualify.

Returning Students: Skyward Family Access (new)

1. Log in using your current username and password.
2. Under the Home menu (left side), select “New to District 26–27.
3.  Forgot your password? Click “Forgot your Login/Password?” on the login page.
4. A reset link will be emailed to you (check your spam folder if needed).
5. Complete and submit the application. 

New and Kindergarten Students:

If You Already Have a Student Enrolled in Lakeland (sibling currently attends a LSS school):

1. Log in to Skyward Family Access (new) using your current credentials.
2. Under the Home menu (left side), select “New to District 26–27.”
3. Complete and submit the New Student application.

If You Are New to Lakeland School System (No previously enrolled students) :

1. Request login credentials for the enrollment application: Request a Skyward Account (new)
2. You will receive an email with your username and password (check spam if needed).
3. Click the link in the email and log in using your assigned credentials.
4.  Complete all steps of the application and be sure to click Submit on the final page.

Next Steps: Completing Online Registration

All required documents will be uploaded during the online registration process. Detailed instructions are located in the online registration application. 

Click the button below for a comprehensive list of information required to finalize your student's enrollment.

Returning Student Registration Guide

Informacion de registro de estudiantes que regresan

Next Steps: Completing Online Registration

All required documents will be uploaded during the online registration process. Detailed instructions are located in the online registration application. 

Click the button below for a comprehensive list of information required to finalize your student's enrollment.

New Student Registration Guide

 Guia de registro para nuevos estudiantes

 Next Steps: Completing Online Registration

Click the button below for a comprehensive list of information required to finalize your student's enrollment.

Kindergarten Registration Guide

Informacion de registro de kindergarten

All families must complete the online registration process through Skyward. Paper packets are available for parents/guardians that do not have a computer or internet access.

Click the button below to view a detailed list of required documents and information needed to complete your child’s enrollment.

Shared REsidence Registration Guide

If your family resides in a shared residence, an in-person residency verification is required to finalize your child’s enrollment. This must be completed even if you have already submitted the online application.

To ensure a smooth appointment, please arrive with all necessary paperwork ready. The homeowner/tenant must accompany you to the appointment. 

Review the Shared Residence Information Flier for a full list of:

• Acceptable proofs of residence.

• Required documentation for both the homeowner/tenant and the parent/guardian.

Required Form: All applicants must submit a completed Shared Residence Affidavit at the time of the appointment.

Shared Residence Information Flier

Shared Residence Affidavit

Informacion de residencia compartida

Tennessee Immunization Information (Shelby County)

• In the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat of an epidemic, the requirement does not apply to any child whose parent or guardian files with school authorities a signed, written statement that the immunization and other preventive measures conflict with the parent’s or guardian’s religious tenets and practices, affirmed under the penalties of perjury;
• A child is not denied admission to any school or school facility if the child has not been immunized due to medical reasons if the child has a written statement from the child’s doctor excusing the child from the immunization;
• A child or youth determined to be homeless is not denied admission to any school or school facility if the child or youth has not yet been immunized or is unable to produce immunization records due to being homeless; and
• An immunization is not required if a qualified physician certifies that administration of the immunization would be in any manner harmful to the child involved.

A homeless student shall have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, Part C, § 721.

For information about enrolling students experiencing homelessness, please contact the Lakeland School System Director of Student Services, Kim Pickens, 901-317-6011, or via the Student Services Contact Form.

For information about enrolling a student in foster care, please contact the Lakeland School System Director of Student Services (Foster Care Liaison), Kim Pickens, 901-317-6011, or via the Student Services Contact Form.

Lakeland School System does not have a general education preschool program. Our current preschool program is designed to meet the needs of students with special needs, specifically students who qualify for special education services with a specific educational disability. These students are provided a continuum of services through Individualized Education Programs (IEP) required for special education students.

Our preschool classrooms have students that are selected as "peer models". Typically, these students do not have special learning needs. "Peer models" must go through a screening process, and if selected, will participate in the preschool class to model and promote language development and social interaction. For more information, please contact Kay Slater, Special Education Clerical, 901-867-5412 ext. 7757

Proofs of residence should reflect a student’s primary residence (property the student resides in daily, seven (7) days a week). If the primary residence is located outside of Lakeland City limits, the student cannot be enrolled in a Lakeland School System school.

Lakeland School System serves students that reside within Lakeland City limits. If your family relocates outside of Lakeland, your child(ren) will need to attend the school in the new attendance zone. All parent(s) and guardian(s) should notify their child’s school if there is a change of residence.

The primary custodial/residential parent MUST reside within Lakeland City limits. If the parents share equal parenting time (50/50), the student(s) may attend Lakeland School System provided that one parent resides within Lakeland City limits (T.C.A. § 36-6-410, T.C.A.§ 36-6-415)

Custody Guidelines:

Students are enrolled based on the primary residential parent’s address.

• Full Custody: Copy of legal custody papers or Parenting Plan that has been signed by a judge and notarized.
• Guardianship or Temporary Custody: Copy of legal custody papers or Parenting Plan that has been signed by a judge and notarized.
• Joint Custody: Copy of legal custody papers including a copy of the Parenting Plan that has been signed by a judge and notarized.
• Parents Married Not Living Together but no Legal Separation: School is determined by where the child resides overnight. Parent must reside in Lakeland city limits.
• Parents Not Married and Not Living Together: A certified copy of birth certificate showing legality of parent and parent’s photo ID is required for enrollment. Mother is the default custodian if there are no court documents stating otherwise. 
• Whereabouts of One Parent Unknown: A certified copy of birth certificate showing legality of parent and parent’s photo ID is required for enrollment.

Custody or court-ordered parenting plan documents must be provided at the time of registration in cases of legal custodial, shared parenting, or guardianship placements.

A student cannot attend school without the enrolling party providing a Parenting Plan or proof of guardianship. The legal residence of a student is defined as the domicile of the student’s primary residential parent.

Parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person temporary care giving authority when hardship prevents the parent(s) from caring for the child.

Hardships identified are:

• The serious illness or incarceration of a parent or legal guardian;
• The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian or the child is such that care and  supervision cannot be provided;
• The loss or inhabitability of the child's home as a result of a natural disaster.

When one of the above hardships is applicable, the custodial parent(s) and the caregiver must make an appointment to meet with Kim Pickens, Director of Student Services, 901-317-6011, in order to complete the application for Power of Attorney. 

Hardships not listed above should be referred to Juvenile Court to change the custody.

During the meeting, the following should be provided:

• Proof of identity. Copies of this proof and documents related to the request will be made and included in the file that will remain with Student Services.
• Verification of the hardship will be required no less than annually.
• Child’s birth certificate (or acceptable proof of birth) and/or, in cases where prior custody arrangements have been made, legal documentation of custody.
• Verification documents relative to the claim of hardship. 
• Proof of residence required to be submitted by the caregiver.

Homes under construction must have a closing date within 30 days of the first day of school for a student to begin the school year in Lakeland School System. Proof of residence must be submitted within 10 days after closing.

If the closing date is more than 30 days after the first day of school, the student should begin the year in their current zoned school and may enroll in Lakeland School System once the family has moved into their new Lakeland home.

Yes. If your lease expires or you move to another home within Lakeland City limits, new proofs of residency will be required. Please contact your child's school for more information. 

Your child will be withdrawn from the LSS school, and parent(s)/guardian(s) can be personally liable to Lakeland School System for the amount of per pupil expenditure as set forth in T.C.A. 49-6-3003. Lakeland School System reserves the right to investigate registration and enrollments that are suspected of being fraudulent.