Kindergarten Registration, Preschool Lottery Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

Forest Hills School District is thrilled to welcome the newest group of students for the 2026-2027 school year! 

Kindergarten Registration

Beginning January 20, 2026, families can register students for Kindergarten as well as other grade levels for the upcoming school year. Kindergarten offers flexible options to suit family needs, including full-day and half-day options. Please refer to the Forest Hills Street Guide to determine the child’s school of attendance. Please note that half day kindergarten is not offered at all six elementary schools, and the locations are determined by the number of sections needed throughout the district to accommodate families who choose this option. 

Students must be five years old on or before the first day of school of the given school year to enroll in kindergarten. In FHSD, the first full day of school is the first day where all students report to kindergarten, which takes place after the two phase-in days that start the year. To enroll into kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year, students must be five years old on or before August 20, 2026. 

If your child is currently enrolled in the FHSD Preschool program (or receiving special education preschool services at an outside program) and will transition to FHSD kindergarten in the 2026-2027 school year, you do not need to complete the new student registration process in FinalForms. Instead, you will receive an email from FHSD Preschool administration with directions to continue enrollment in the school district for the next school year. 

Next Steps:

• Learn more about kindergarten in FHSD on our Kindergarten webpage! 
• FAQs 
• Kindergarten Program Guide 
• A Video Featuring Kindergarten Experts
• Attend Kindergarten Open House on March 5, 2026 from 6:45-7:45 p.m. to learn more about academic programs, visit the school and classrooms and meet with staff and administrators. All elementary schools will be hosting an open house during this time.
• Register for kindergarten! 
• Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year opens on January 20. 

Preschool Peer Model Lottery Applications

The Forest Hills Preschool program follows a separate process for enrollment that begins on February 1, 2026. Families interested in applying for consideration to enroll a peer model student should visit the Preschool webpage to submit an application no later than February 22, 2026. The lottery drawing will take place on Monday, February 23, 2026. All families will  be notified of the results via email. 

The FHSD Preschool Program is held at Sherwood Elementary School and offers half-day programming, with both morning and afternoon options.

Next Steps:

• Learn more about preschool in FHSD on our Preschool webpage!
  • Peer Model Admissions Criteria and Application Link
  • Preschool Program Guide
  • Information About the Peer Model Program
  • Information About Special Education Services
• Attend a tour of the preschool building on February 8, 2026 at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to learn more! Preschool is housed at Sherwood Elementary School, 7080 Grantham Way Cincinnati, OH 45230. Email Preschool Coordinator Julie Howard at juliehoward@foresthills.edu by February 4 to join a tour group. 
• Submit a peer model application!
  • Submit an application before the February 22 deadline. 

Questions? 

Questions can be answered by calling FHSD Central Office at (513) 231-3600 or emailing contact@foresthills.edu.