Childcare and Schooling
When bringing family members to the U.S., there are additional considerations to be made prior to arrival and soon after family members arrive. It is recommended that you arrive before family so you can ensure you have finalized many of the necessary details for living in the U.S.
The information below is intended to provide guidance on enrolling your child in school, but you should also discuss your needs with your local school district.
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If you live in Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, or Shutesbury, contact: Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools
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If you live in Sunderland, contact: the Town of Sunderland
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If you live in Belchertown, contact: Belchertown Public Schools
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If you live in Hadley, contact: Hadley Public Schools
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If you live in Northampton, contact: Northampton Public Schools
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For all other locations, search the name of your town and “public schools.”
In Massachusetts, you may also choose to send your child to school outside of the community where you reside, using what is known as “school choice.” You should contact the school district where you want to send your child to determine their process for school choice.
- Regulations and Structure
- Early Childhood and Grade Levels
- Types of schools in the U.S.
- Parent and Family Involvement
- Standardized Testing
- Family Health, Wellness, and Safety
In the United States, schooling is regulated by each individual state as there is no national school system. Schooling is further organized into school districts at the county level, and some counties have multiple school districts. District mapping for public schools is determined by local residence.
When enrolling your child in a U.S. school, it is important to note that per the U.S. Department of Justice, a Social Security Number (SSN) for students and parents is not required for enrollment. However, you may need to provide proof of medical evaluations and vaccination. Check with the school district’s website for these requirements as they may vary. The U.S. Department of Education is a U.S. federal government agency that establishes policies on federal financial aid for education, collects data and research-based information on schooling across the United States, and works to prohibit discrimination and ensures equal access to education. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondry Education is the regulatory agency responsible for public education in the Commonwealth.
You can learn more about the U.S. education system at Study in the USA.
Records Needed for Schools
Families need to bring birth certificates, school records, and medical records for their children. Massachusetts requires proof of immunization for children against childhood diseases before they can enroll in school or childcare programs. School-age children (5-18) are eligible to attend public schools at no cost in the town in which they live.
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“Infant” is generally considered newborn up to 24 months
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“Toddler” is generally considered 24 months to 4 years
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“Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)” is considered 4 -5 years old
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Daycares typically serve infants and toddler and can be center or home based.
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Preschool/Pre-K serves preschoolers ages 4-5 years
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Elementary Schools serve grades Kindergarten (ages 5-6) through grade 5 (10-11 years old)
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Middle Schools serve grades 6 (ages 11/12) through 8 (ages 13/14)
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High Schools serve grades 9 (ages 13/14) through 12 (ages 17/18)
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Public – A school funded by taxpayers. Attendance at a public school is determined by residency within a specific boundary which is known as the school district. Public schools are free to attend.
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Charter – A charter school is a public school that families choose to send their children to. Charter school attendance is not based on residency. Charter schools are free to attend.
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Private – Private schools do not receive taxpayer or government funding and are supported solely by tuition payments made by families.
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Religious/Parochial – Schools affiliated with a religious organization (church, mosque, synagogue, etc.), typically include a curriculum with religious education at the core in addition to secular subjects. Religious schools are supported by larger religious organizations and tuition payments made by families. In some cases, a religious school may receive limited government funding.
Considerations
Begin by searching for childcare that is convenient for you, either close to your worksite or home address, and read some of the online reviews to get a general idea of the business’s reputation. Once you find a facility that you think will meet your family’s needs, contact them for more information. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and tour the facility. The CDC has a 15 Must-Haves for All Child Care Providers Check List for families to use for each facility that under consideration. Below are some questions you can ask during your interviews:
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Ask for an onsite or video tour of the facility
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Ask to speak with parents of children attending the center
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What is the environment like? How are meals served?
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What can my child bring with them?
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What programs are no longer available?
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How are your facility and staff meeting CDC guidance?
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How have your policies changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
In the United States, it is expected for the parents or guardians of enrolled students to be active in the school community and take an active role in their child’s education. Many schools have a “Parent Teacher Organization” (PTO) that provides communication forums, opportunities to engage in school activities and events, and advocacy within the school district.
Communication between parents and teachers is expected and most schools offer regular student assessments (sometimes called parent-teacher conferences) that require a parent or guardian to meet with the child’s teacher to go over the student’s progress. Additional school functions such as orientations, previews for new students, open houses (an event where parents/guardians may visit the school to view their child’s work and learn more about their accomplishments), curriculum nights (where school faculty go over district/state requirements and objectives, and how these are pursued at the school) are common.
Massachusetts law requires that all students meet the Competency Determination (CD) standard which is usually done by earning a passing score on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in grade 10. “This requirement is for all students educated at public expense, including those at public schools, at educational collaboratives and those in approved or unapproved special education schools.”
Pediatric Care
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University Health Services provides pediatric care for UMass Amherst students including routine care, urgent care, on-site lab and radiology services, and a full-service pharmacy.
Nutrition Assistance and Food Security
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The federal government provides states with funding to operate supplemental nutrition, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for qualifying families.
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WIC is not included in the government’s public charge rule and is available to qualifying families regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
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The Amherst Survival Center provides free community meals, fresh food distribution, health care programs, and community activities free of charge and regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Health Insurance
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Students in 5+ credits are automatically enrolled in the University Health Plan. Students have the option of adding their family members. See the University Health Services website for further details.
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UMass Employees should work with Human Resources to determine your eligibility.
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Non-UMass employees who need medical insurance: there are numerous private companies that specialize in health insurance for international visitors. More information on health insurance is available here.
Parent Support Resources
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UMass Student Parent Programs offers support groups, family friendly activities and spaces, basic needs and more to student parents.
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Collaborative for Educational Services maintains a list of local family centers and play groups.
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Round the World Women connects international women, students, and non-students with volunteers from the greater Amherst community. This program has been an essential resource for international women and their children who accompany a spouse, partner, or family member to Amherst. RWW volunteers provide information about local customs and answer questions about life in the U.S. Together, the group visits local places of interest and meets for fun group activities while sharing encouragement and friendship.
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It Takes A Village is a nonprofit organization that offers post-partum support, parent education, and community events to area families. They also operate The Village Closet, a free distribution center featuring maternity clothing, baby and children’s clothing, toys, gear and diapers.
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Public libraries offer regular events for children and families and drop in play groups.