BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
With Tuesday, Aug. 12, being the first day of the new school year for Bradford County schools, any family who hasn’t enrolled still has time.
These days it is a largely online task, although it is possible to register in person at a school. Finding out which school your family is zoned for is also possible online. Your starting point is www.bradfordschools.org. Click the Enrollment tab at the top of the screen. You can view an interactive map that will show you the school zone for your address. You can also view the out-of-zone policy and download a form to request attendance at an out-of-zone school.
From there you will create Focus account to complete registration if you do not already have one. If you do, you can log on and register a new VPK through 12th grade student there. After registration, you will continue to use the Focus Parent Portal to monitor your child’s attendance, progress, test scores, grades and class schedules. You will also be able to communicate directly with teachers.
Before you register, gather all the documents you will need. This includes the parent’s/guardian’s photo ID, the child’s birth certificate, Social Security card (not required), current shot record, current Florida physical, two proofs of residency (mortgage/lease agreement, vehicle registration, utility bill). If applicable, you may also need proof of custody. You will be asked to upload copies of the information during the application process. If you cannot do so, you will need to deliver them to the school.
Note that your child needs to be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year.
Immunizations
The Florida Department of Health in Bradford provides immunizations at no cost to for all children through the age of 18. These immunizations are required for children attending daycare or school. You may call 904-964-7732 to make an appointment.
For daycare or preschool, the required shots are:
Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP)
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
Varicella (chickenpox)
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV15/20)
Hepatitis B (Hep B)
For K-12, the required shots are:
Four or five doses of DTaP
Four or five doses of IPV
Two doses of MMR
Three doses of Hep B
One Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap)
Two doses of Varicella
Those entering seventh grade need another Tdap shot, per the health department.
For assistance from your school or the district office, contact the number below:
Bradford Elementary School
904-966-6061
Lawtey Elementary School
904-966-6795
Starke Elementary School
904-966-6045
Bradford Middle School
904-966-6705
Bradford High School
904-966-6075
District office
904-966-6860
By visiting www.bradfordschools.org, you can also view websites for individual schools, including code of conduct and other information. School supply lists have been posted on the schools’ social media pages.
Back-to-School Bash in Brooker
Brooker Community School is holding a Back-to-School Bash for new and returning students on Saturday, Aug. 9, beginning at 10 a.m. Come grab a free backpack and school supplies for the new year and enjoy a free hotdog lunch.
The first day of school is Aug. 12. For information about enrolling in the charter school, call 352-485-1545 or visit www.brookercommunityschool.com.
