More than 800 Students Registered for the Class of 2026

For the fourth year in a row, kindergarten enrollment is on the rise.

The incoming Framingham Public Schools kindergarten class - the Class of 2026 -  already has 805 registered students.

Last year's kindergarten class (Class of 2025) had 800 students registered in the spring, but as of Oct. 1 there were 782 students, according to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The kindergarten class of 2024 had 770 students; there are now 778 first graders, according to the DESE.

The class of 2023 had 738 kindergarten students at this time; and now there are 698 second graders, according to the DESE.

In comparison, the class of 2013 has 492 students and the current 8th grade class enrollment is at 586 students. In total, the district, as of Oct. 1, had 8,201 students, according to the DESE.

With the fourth kindergarten class at or above 800 students, the Framingham School District is running out of classroom seats for the Class of 2026 and is considering housing a couple of kindergarten classes at B.L.O.C.K.S. preschool, the former Juniper Hill Elementary school in the fall.

The School Committee has a policy of 19 students in kindergarten, plus or minus 3 students or a maximum of 22 students.

School choice forms with school assignments for the Class of 2026 are expected to be mailed tomorrow, May 15.

Special education and English language learner placements, sibling guarantees and neighborhood preferences were given top priority.

Superintendent of Schools Stacy Scott said 89 percent of families were given one of the their top choices.