How old must a child be to enroll in Kindergarten?

Each child of legal settlement shall be eligible for Kindergarten providing that s/he has attained the age of five (5) on or before August 1st.  This requirement shall also apply to children who transfer into the Norwell Community Schools and who may have attended private or public kindergarten in another locality.

How old must a child be to enroll in 1st Grade?

If a child seeking to enroll in first grade has not attended kindergarten, the Superintendent shall make a determination as to whether the student will enroll in kindergarten or first grade based upon the assessment model found in the administrative guidelines.

Who do I contact to schedule a school tour, get help with enrollment, or schedule classes for a student?

Norwell High School Office - 260-543-2213

Norwell Middle School Office - 260-543-2218

Lancaster Central Elementary Office (Bluffton, IN) - 260-565-3135

Ossian Elementary Office (Ossian, IN) - 260-622-4179

When can I enroll a NEW student for the 2026-2027 school year - including Pre-K, Kindergarten, and those students that did not complete the 2025-2026 school year at Norwell Community Schools?

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year for all students---both new and returning--starts in early April 2026. Look for the 2026-2027 New Student Enrollment form on our Enrollment Page. If the student does not reside within the NWCS district boundaries, a Transfer Agreement must also be submitted.

Can my homeschooled child participate in extra-curricular activities at Norwell Community Schools?

Please review our Guidelines for Dual-Enrollment Homeschool Students and Extracurricular Participation that was approved by the Nowell School Board in April 2026.