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 Student Services Supervisor, Kim Pickens, 901-317-6011, or via email, studentservices@lakelandk12.org.

For information about enrolling a student in foster care, please contact the Lakeland School System Student Services Supervisor (Foster Care Liaison), Kim Pickens, 901-317-6011, or via email, studentservices@lakelandk12.org.

• For Skyward username/password information, please contact the Attendance and Registration Secretary at your child's assigned school:
  • Lakeland Elementary School (grades K-4): Donita Carmichael, Attendance Secretary
  • Lakeland Preparatory School (grades 5-8): Megan Cagle, Attendance Secretary
  • Lakeland Preparatory School (grades 9-12): Lori Loeffler, Attendance Secretary/Registrar
• AFTER MAY 22ND please email studentservices@lakelandk12.org or call 901-867-5412 ext. 7431

• For general registration information, such as residence requirements and required documents, please the email the LSS Student Services Department, studentservices@lakelandk12.org

Please click on the flier below for 2025-2026 online registration instructions:

Online Registration Guide

For your convenience, a step by step instructional guide for navigating through the Skyward Online Enrollment Program can be found here:

Skyward Online Enrollment Guide

Appointments are available for parents that do not have a computer or access to the internet. Please contact the following personnel at your child’s assigned school to schedule an appointment:

Lakeland Elementary School (K-4): Donita Carmichael 901-867-5412 ext. 1

Lakeland Preparatory School (5-8): Megan Cagle 901-290-0505 ext. 5011

Lakeland Preparatory School (9-12): Lori Loeffler 901-290-0505 

AFTER MAY 22ND: 

Lakeland School System Student Services : 901-867-5412 ext. 7431

Lakeland School System schools provide interpreter/translation services to assist parents/guardians with the registration process. Please contact your child's assigned school for the 2025-2026 school year or the LSS Student Services Department.

Lakeland Elementary School (K-4): 901-867-7071 ext. 1 or email Donita Carmichael

Lakeland Preparatory School (5-8): 901-290-0505 ext. 5011 or email Megan Cagle

Lakeland Preparatory School (9-12): 901-290-0505 ext. 5038 or email Lori Loeffler

AFTER MAY 22, 2025:

LSS Student Services Department: 901-867-5412 ext. 7431 or email Student Services

Who is eligible to be screened?
If your child will be 5 years old between August 16th and September 30th, he or she can complete the Kindergarten Readiness screening offered by the district.

When will the district offer early entrance testing?

• Early entrance to kindergarten testing date: Monday, July 21, 2025; appointments begin at 10:00AM;
• You will need to schedule an appointment by emailing the LSS Student Services Department;
• Once your email is received, you will be given an appointment time and additional information.

• All immunizations must be on the Tennessee Immunization Certificate
• To view 2025-2026 immunization and physical exam requirements, click on the following link:
  • Kindergarten and Physical Exam Information

Spanish Flier (updated 02/2025): Información de registro de kindergarten y estudiantes nuevos

Parents/guardians must provide TWO of the following items showing the parent/guardian's name and address to prove Lakeland residency:

• Most recent MLGW or municipal water bill 
• Mortgage statement or deed 
• Lease 
• Rental Agreement 
• Real Estate tax receipt
• Public assistance/government benefits check, card, or papers

In the event that two (2) of the items listed above cannot be provided, residency may be established by submitting other documentation deemed to be appropriate proof of residence by the department responsible for verifying residency.

Additional documents:

• Certified copy of student’s Birth Certificate 
• If birth certificate cannot be submitted during time of enrollment, parent/guardian can submit an officially acceptable evidence of date of birth (e.g., passport, military ID)
• Parent’s/Guardian’s driver’s license, passport, or military ID
• High School Transcripts: Please provide high school transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable). 
• Most recent report card (if available)
• Parenting Plans/Custody Documents​ - Custody papers and parenting plans are required for new or currently enrolled students.
• Tennessee Immunization Certificate

Spanish Flier (2025-2026 SY): Información de registro de estudiantes que regresan

Parents/guardians must provide TWO of the following items showing the parent/guardian's name and address to prove Lakeland residency:

• Most recent MLGW or municipal water bill 
• Mortgage statement or deed 
• Lease 
• Rental Agreement 
• Real Estate tax receipt
• Public assistance/government benefits check, card, or papers

In the event that two (2) of the items listed above cannot be provided, residency may be established by submitting other documentation deemed to be appropriate proof of residence by the department responsible for verifying residency.

Immunization Information:
7th grade students are required to have the TDAP Booster
 

Who is considered a shared resident? 

• When a student resides with his/her parents in the home also occupied by the homeowner/tenant and his/her family members. 
• Students do not qualify as a shared residence if parents/guardians own or rent a home within Shelby County or the surrounding area (Fayette County, Tipton County, etc). 

I submitted my child's application online, how do I schedule a shared residence appointment to complete the enrollment process? 

• Shared Residence Verification Day will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. 
  • To schedule an appointment at your child's assigned school, click on the link below. If you have students at both LES and LPS, you can complete the process for all your children at either school. 
    • LES Shared Residency Appointment Link
    • LPS Shared Residency Appointment Link
• If you need assistance, please call your child's assigned school: 
  • Lakeland Elementary School: 901-867-7071
  • Lakeland Preparatory School: 901-290-0505

• All parents AND the homeowner/tenant must attend the shared residence appointment.

How do I prepare for my Shared Residence Appointment?  

• Please click on the "Shared Residence Information" flier to access information about acceptable proofs of residence the homeowner/tenant and the parents are required to bring to the shared residence appointment. 
• All applicants are required to submit the completed "Shared Residence Affidavit" during the appointment (linked below).
  • Información de Residencia Compartida
  • Shared Residence Information
  • Shared Residence Affidavit

Additional information for parents of kindergarten and new students: 

• If you are registering a kindergarten or new student in a shared residence situation, the documents listed below will need to be uploaded:
  • Certified copy of student’s Birth Certificate
  • If birth certificate cannot be submitted during time of enrollment, parent/guardian can submit an officially acceptable evidence of date of birth (e.g., passport, military ID)
  • Parent’s/Guardian’s driver’s license, passport, or military ID
  • High School Transcripts (if available)
  • Most recent report card (if available)
  • Parenting Plans/Custody Documents​ - Custody papers and parenting plans are required for new or currently enrolled students
  • Tennessee Immunization Certificate 

Yes. Lakeland School System (LSS) does not accept out of district student transfers at this time, unless they are the children of permanent, full-time LSS or City of Lakeland staff.

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).

Court documents verifying custodial/residential parent must be submitted to your child’s assigned school.

Homes under construction must have a closing date within 30 days of the first day of school in order for students to start the school year in Lakeland School System. Once the closing has occurred, proof of residence must be submitted within 10 days of the closing. If the closing date is not within 30 days of the first day of school, students should start the school year in the school where they are zoned at the time. They may be enrolled in Lakeland School System once parents have moved into their new home in Lakeland.

Parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person residing in this state 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, Student Services Facilitator, 901-317-06011, kpickens@lakelandk12.org  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 with Student Services personnel, the custodial parent(s)/guardian and the caregiver must provide:

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

Parents or guardians that are in a month to month lease will need to upload their lease agreement and their current MLG&W bill during the registration process. In addition, Lakeland School System requires parents in this situation to submit new proofs of residence to their child’s assigned school in August and again in January. Parents will receive an email notification with instructions for submitting the proofs of residence during the months listed above.

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. 

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.

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.

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.