LOCAL SCHOOLS
Kindergarten Registration
Lakota is proud to offer all-day kindergarten to all our youngest learners.
Visit Lakota's kindergarten webpage for more program details, including locations, early entrance requirements and frequently asked questions.
Registration
Current School Year: When enrolling for the current school year, we welcome new kindergarten students on a rolling basis all year long.
Next School Year: Online registration for incoming kindergartners for the following school year usually begins in early February. More specific information and dates will be available below at the start of registration season. Please consider these important reminders:
- Age Requirement: To qualify for the following school year, students must be five years old on or before the first day of school that year (Aug. 13 for the 2026-2027 school year).
- Current Lakota Preschool Students: If you completed the online registration for preschool, you do not need to register for kindergarten. Current Lakota preschool students will be automatically registered for kindergarten, unless alternative plans have been communicated.
- Current Head Start Preschool Students: If you are a current Head Start preschool student, you WILL need to complete the online registration for kindergarten.
- Attendance Zone: Use our interactive map to enter your address and view the schools in your attendance zone.
- Required Documents: All families are invited to register online, where you will be asked to upload the required documents (including the most recent record of immunization).
Using FinalForms to Register Your Student
How to Set up a Parent Account in FinalForms
- Go to: https://lakota-oh.finalforms.com
- Locate the parent icon and click NEW ACCOUNT.
- Type your YOUR NAME, DATE OF BIRTH, and EMAIL. Next, click REGISTER.
NOTE: You will receive an email within 2 minutes prompting you to confirm and complete your registration. If you do not receive an email, then check your spam folder. If you still can not locate the FinalForms email, then email support@finalforms.com.
- Check your email for an ACCOUNT CONFIRMATION EMAIL from FinalForms. Once received and opened, click CONFIRM YOUR ACCOUNT in the email text.
- Create your new FinalForms password. Next, click CONFIRM ACCOUNT.
- Click REGISTER STUDENT for your first child (see instructions below for registering a student).
How to Register a Student In FinalForms
What information will I need?
Student's birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residency, parent/guardian photo ID, and court stamped custody documentation (if it pertains to your student).
How do I register my first student?
- Create a parent account using the steps above.
- Go to: lakota-oh.finalforms.com
Locate the parent icon and click LOGIN.
- Locate and click the ADD STUDENT button.
Type in the LEGAL NAME and other required information. Then, click CREATE STUDENT.
- If your student plans to participate in a sport, activity, or club, then click the checkbox for each. Then, click UPDATE after making your selection. Selections may be changed until the registration deadline.
- Complete each form and sign your full name (i.e. ‘Jonathan Smith’) in the parent signature field on each page. After signing each, click SUBMIT FORM and move on to the next form.
- When all forms are complete, you will see a ‘Forms Finished’ message.
IMPORTANT: If required by your district, an email will automatically be sent to the email address that you provided for your student that will prompt your student to sign required forms.
How do I register additional students?
Click MY STUDENTS. Then, repeat steps above for each additional student.
How do I update information?
Login at any time and click UPDATE FORMS to update information for any student.
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Enrollment for all NEW Lakota students in grades K-12 for the 2026-2027 school year, including incoming kindergartners, is now open
Visit the Welcome Center website for more details about the online registration process. Important: Currently enrolled students do NOT need to re-enroll for the following school year. Furthermore, all back-to-school updates, including transportation, for the 2026-2027 school year will be collected in FinalForms AFTER the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year.
Kindergarten Registration
All incoming kindergarten students are eligible for Lakota’s all-day program. Lakota’s all-day kindergarten classes will be held at six K-2 early childhood schools, including Creekside, Heritage, Hopewell, Liberty, Shawnee and Wyandot.
Please note that students must be five years old on or before the first day of school (Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026) in order to enroll in kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year. This cut-off date has traditionally been Aug. 1, but was adjusted by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, effective for the 2026-2027 school year.
Current Lakota preschool students do not need to complete the enrollment process. They will be automatically enrolled in Lakota kindergarten, unless alternative plans have been communicated.
All families are invited to register online through FinalForms. You will be asked to create a parent account and register your student. You must upload the required documents and complete and sign all of the registration forms for your student’s enrollment to be complete.
Kindergarten Parent Information Night
Parents are encouraged to enroll in advance of the in-person parent information night for incoming kindergartners. This parent-only event is scheduled on Thursday, April 30 from 6-7 p.m. at each of Lakota’s six early childhood schools.
Make plans to attend the open house at your child’s future school, as determined by your attendance zone (use our interactive map to enter your address and find your assigned school). Get a basic introduction to Lakota, meet the principal and other key staff, tour the school, and learn more about Lakota’s kindergarten program.
Virtual Readiness Session
As a follow-up to the building-hosted open houses, all incoming kindergarten parents are also invited to the district’s virtual “Kindergarten Readiness” session on May 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Attend to get guidance for preparing your child academically, socially and emotionally for their kindergarten experience. Also, learn about Lakota's approach to beginning of the year testing and class placement, phase-in days as well as the consistent facets of "a day in the life" of a Lakota kindergartner.
The virtual session will be recorded and, for those who missed their building’s open house, will review basic school procedures for areas like transportation, child nutrition, clinic services and communications.
Visit the kindergarten registration site for more details, including a list of frequently asked questions, and to register online. All questions can be directed to the Welcome Center at (513) 682-4120 or enroll@lakotaonline.com
Information Night
Each spring, parents of incoming kindergartners are encouraged to attend the Kindergarten Parent Information Night at the early childhood school they will attend in the fall. Get a basic introduction to Lakota, meet the principal and other key staff, tour the school, and learn more about Lakota’s kindergarten program.
Each of Lakota’s six early childhood schools will host their own Kindergarten Information Night on Thursday, April 30 from 6-7 p.m. This is a parents-only event, as kindergartners will have an opportunity to visit their new school during the summer open house.
Readiness Session
As a follow-up to the building-hosted open houses for incoming kindergartners, Lakota hosts a virtual “Kindergarten Readiness” session. The webinar in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year is scheduled for May 7, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. The link to participate will be available here soon.
Join to get guidance on preparing your child academically, socially and emotionally for their kindergarten experience. Also, learn about Lakota's approach to beginning of the year testing and class placement, phase-in days as well as the consistent facets of "a day in the life" of a Lakota kindergartner.
First Grade Requirement
If enrolling a first grade student who did not attend a public or chartered non-public school for kindergarten, the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce requires that the parents/guardians provide confirmation from their kindergarten provider that the teacher met the certification requirements outlined by the Ohio Department of Education.
The required documentation is the kindergarten teacher’s state teaching certificate or license. Families are responsible for obtaining the required documentation. Enrollment into first grade may be delayed until confirmation is received.