How to Enroll a Child in Public School
Public school education in the Philippines is FREE from Kindergarten through Senior High School (Grade 12) under the K-12 Basic Education Program. Enrollment is done at the public school nearest to the learner's residence. This guide covers the step-by-step enrollment process, requirements, and what parents need to know.
Public School Enrollment at a Glance
Cost
FREE -- no tuition or miscellaneous fees. Public school enrollment in the Philippines is completely free of charge under the K-12 Basic Education Program.
Timeline
Enrollment period is typically June to August. Early enrollment starts April to May. Check with your target school for exact dates each school year.
Key Fact
All Filipino children aged 5 and above have the right to free basic education. DepEd ensures that no child is turned away from enrollment in public schools.
Enrollment by Level
The K-12 Basic Education Program covers four levels. Each level has specific enrollment considerations for parents and learners.
Kindergarten (Age 5)
First Formal School Entry
Kindergarten is the first formal school entry for children aged 5. It is mandatory before Grade 1 under the K-12 program. Children must be at least 5 years old by the start of the school year to be eligible for enrollment.
Elementary (Grades 1-6)
Age 6 for Grade 1
Children must be at least 6 years old for Grade 1. For returning learners, enrollment is a continuing process each school year. Transferees from other schools need additional documents.
Junior High School (Grades 7-10)
Continuing from Elementary
Automatic promotion from elementary for continuing learners. Transferees and those from private schools enrolling in public JHS need to present their school records and transfer credentials.
Senior High School (Grades 11-12)
Choose Your Track
Learners choose from four tracks: Academic, Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL), Sports, or Arts and Design. Track availability varies per school. SHS enrollment may require additional forms for track preference.
Requirements for Public School Enrollment
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| PSA Birth Certificate | Original or certified copy issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This is the primary document for verifying the learner's identity, age, and nationality. |
| Learner Reference Number (LRN) | Required for returning and transferring learners. The LRN is a unique 12-digit number assigned to each learner upon first enrollment. New enrollees will be assigned an LRN during the enrollment process. |
| Report Card / Form 138 | From the previous school, required for transferees and returning learners. Shows the learner's grades and completion of the previous grade level. |
| School Records / Form 137 (SF10) | From the previous school, required for transferees. This is the permanent record of the learner and is sent directly from the previous school to the new school (school-to-school basis). |
| Certificate of Good Moral Character | Required for transferees. Issued by the previous school certifying the learner's good standing and behavior. |
| 2x2 ID Photos | 2 to 4 copies of recent 2x2 ID photos with white background. Used for the learner's school records and identification. |
| Proof of Residence | Barangay certificate or any document proving the learner's residence. This helps determine the school nearest to the learner's home. |
| Immunization Record | Required for Kindergarten and Grade 1 enrollees. Shows the child's vaccination history. Available from the local health center or pediatrician. |
| Age Requirement (Kindergarten) | For Kindergarten enrollment, the child must be at least 5 years old by the start of the school year (enrollment date). This is verified through the PSA birth certificate. |
| Enrollment Fee | FREE -- DepEd strictly prohibits the collection of any enrollment fees, tuition fees, or miscellaneous fees in public schools. Report any fee collection to the DepEd Division Office. |
Step-by-Step Enrollment Process
The following steps outline the complete process for enrolling a child in a public school in the Philippines. The process is straightforward and designed to be accessible to all parents and guardians.
Choose a Public School Near Your Residence
Identify the public school nearest to your home. Under DepEd policy, learners are generally enrolled at the school closest to their residence to ensure accessibility and reduce transportation costs. You can check with your barangay or the DepEd Division Office for the list of public schools in your area.
Tip: Visit the school before enrollment period to inquire about available grade levels, class capacity, and any specific requirements. Some schools may have limited slots for certain grade levels.
Visit the School During Enrollment Period
Go to the chosen public school during the official enrollment period, which is typically June to August. Early enrollment may start as early as April or May. The school will have designated enrollment stations and personnel to assist parents and guardians.
Important: Bring the learner (your child) along with you. Some schools may require the learner to be present during enrollment, especially for new enrollees in Kindergarten and Grade 1.
Obtain and Fill Out the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (LESF)
The school will provide the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (LESF). This is the official enrollment form required by DepEd. Fill it out completely with accurate information about the learner, including full name, date of birth, address, parent/guardian details, and other required data.
Tip: Some schools now offer online pre-enrollment or downloadable LESF forms from the DepEd website. Check if your target school has an online option to save time on enrollment day.
Submit the LESF with Required Documents
Submit the completed LESF along with the required documents: PSA birth certificate, report card (for returning/transferring learners), immunization record (for Kindergarten/Grade 1), 2x2 ID photos, and proof of residence. The school registrar or enrollment officer will review and verify all submitted documents.
Important: No fees should be collected during enrollment. If anyone asks you to pay enrollment fees, report it immediately to the DepEd Division Office or call the DepEd hotline.
School Assigns the Learner Reference Number (LRN)
For new enrollees (first-time school entrants), the school will assign a Learner Reference Number (LRN). This is a unique 12-digit number that will be used throughout the learner's entire basic education journey. For returning learners who already have an LRN, the school will verify and update the existing record in the Learner Information System (LIS).
Note: Keep the LRN safe and accessible. You will need it for future enrollment, transfer between schools, and requesting school records. Write it down or take a photo for reference.
Attend Orientation and Start Classes on the Opening Date
After enrollment is confirmed, attend the school orientation for parents and learners. The school will announce the class schedule, section assignment, and the official opening of classes. Make sure the learner is present on the first day of classes to confirm their enrollment and avoid being dropped from the class list.
Important: Learners who do not attend within the first few weeks may be considered as "no-show" and their slot may be given to other enrollees. Always communicate with the school if there are any issues with attendance.
Complete Example: Maria Enrolls Her Daughter in Grade 1
Maria's daughter turned 6 years old. Maria wanted to enroll her in the nearest public elementary school in Quezon City. Here is how the enrollment went:
Prepared Documents
Maria gathered her daughter's PSA birth certificate, immunization record from the barangay health center, and had 2x2 ID photos taken at a nearby photo studio. She also obtained a barangay certificate as proof of residence.
Visited the School During Early Enrollment
Maria went to the nearest public elementary school in Quezon City during the early enrollment period in May. She brought her daughter along. The school was well-organized with enrollment stations and friendly staff to guide parents through the process.
Filled Out the LESF and Submitted Documents
Maria received the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (LESF) from the enrollment officer. She filled it out with her daughter's information and submitted it together with the PSA birth certificate, immunization record, 2x2 photos, and barangay certificate. No fees were collected.
Daughter Assigned an LRN and Enrolled in Grade 1
The school processed the enrollment and assigned Maria's daughter a Learner Reference Number (LRN). She was officially enrolled in Grade 1. Maria received a confirmation slip with the LRN, section assignment, and the schedule for the parents' orientation. Everything was FREE.
Cost Summary for Maria's Enrollment
The only costs are for obtaining supporting documents. The enrollment itself is completely free at all public schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have a PSA birth certificate?
The school may still accept your child for enrollment as a late-enrolled learner while you process the PSA birth certificate. DepEd policy states that no child should be turned away from enrollment due to lack of documents. You can apply for a PSA copy simultaneously through PSAHelpline.ph or any PSA Serbilis outlet (P155 per copy). If the birth was never registered, you will need to process a late registration of birth at the Local Civil Registry Office first.
Can I enroll in any public school?
Generally, you should enroll your child at the public school nearest to your residence. This is the default policy under DepEd to ensure equitable distribution of learners and resources. However, if the nearest school is full or does not offer the desired grade level or track (for Senior High School), you may request enrollment at another public school. The receiving school may accept the learner based on available capacity.
Is enrollment really free?
Yes, enrollment in public schools is completely free. DepEd strictly prohibits the collection of any enrollment fees, tuition fees, or miscellaneous fees from learners and parents. This includes registration fees, ID fees, and any other charges. If any school personnel asks you to pay fees during enrollment, you should report it to the DepEd Division Office or contact the DepEd Hotline at (02) 8631-6033.
What is the Learner Reference Number (LRN)?
The Learner Reference Number (LRN) is a unique 12-digit identification number assigned to each learner upon first enrollment in the Philippine basic education system. It is used to track the learner's academic records throughout their entire education journey, from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The LRN is recorded in DepEd's Learner Information System (LIS) and is required for enrollment, transfer between schools, and requesting school records. New enrollees receive their LRN during their first enrollment.
Can I transfer my child to another school?
Yes, you can transfer your child to another public or private school. To transfer, you need to request the following from the current school: Form 137 (School Permanent Record / SF10), Report Card (Form 138), Certificate of Good Moral Character, and a transfer clearance. The Form 137 is typically sent on a school-to-school basis. Present these documents to the new school during enrollment. The learner will keep the same LRN throughout the transfer process.
What if the enrollment period has passed?
Late enrollment is usually accepted by public schools. DepEd encourages schools to accept late enrollees to ensure that all children have access to education. Coordinate directly with the school principal or registrar to arrange late enrollment. You may need to explain the reason for the late enrollment and provide all the required documents. The school will do its best to accommodate the learner, though section assignments may be limited based on available capacity.
Important Reminders
- Enrollment is FREE: DepEd prohibits the collection of any fees during enrollment in public schools. Do not pay any amount for enrollment, registration, ID, or miscellaneous fees.
- No child should be turned away: Even if a learner lacks certain documents (like a birth certificate), the school should still accept them for enrollment while the documents are being processed.
- Keep the LRN safe: The Learner Reference Number is needed for every enrollment, transfer, and records request. Write it down and keep it in a safe place.
- Enroll early: Take advantage of early enrollment periods (April-May) to avoid long lines and ensure your child gets a slot. Early enrollment also gives you more time to complete any missing documents.
- Attend the parents' orientation: Most schools hold an orientation for parents before the opening of classes. This is important for understanding the school's rules, schedule, and expectations.
- Report any irregularities: If you encounter any problems during enrollment -- such as being asked to pay fees, being denied enrollment without valid reason, or experiencing discrimination -- report it to the DepEd Division Office or call the DepEd hotline at (02) 8631-6033.
- For transferees, process documents early: If you are transferring your child from another school, request the Form 137, Report Card, and Certificate of Good Moral Character well before the enrollment period to avoid delays.
- Senior High School track selection: For SHS enrollment, research the available tracks and strands at your target school. Not all schools offer all tracks. Choose a track that aligns with your child's interests and career goals.
Need Help?
Contact DepEd
- DepEd Central Office: DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City
- DepEd Hotline: (02) 8631-6033 / (02) 8633-7228
- Email: action@deped.gov.ph
- Website: www.deped.gov.ph
- DepEd Commons: commons.deped.gov.ph
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the DepEd you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest DepEd first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.