Covid-19 Vaccination

All TCS students of an eligible age are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or apply for a medical exemption for the 23/24 academic year.

Students must be “fully vaccinated” by the first day of school: Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Fully vaccinated means that the 2nd dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or the single dose of the Johnson+Johnson vaccine, must be administered no later than Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Children who are not yet eligible by the start of school will need to receive their first vaccine dose within 14 days of becoming eligible. Vaccine requirements will be continually updated to reflect changes in vaccine age range.

Boosters may be required by TCS if they become strongly recommended for children by public health experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics. While boosters are not a requirement at this time, TCS families should expect additional requirements around boosters for the 23/24 school year. Our booster policy will evolve with the CDC’s guidance and further requirements for boosters among students will be determined as the science becomes available.

View our complete Covid-19 Vaccination Policy.

Student Immunization Policy

All children attending The Community School of Mount Desert Island (TCS) MUST have at least the following immunizations, as required by Maine law, by the start of the 23/24 school year, 09/05/23.

Required for Kindergarten entry:

  • 5 DTaP (4 DTaP if 4th is given on or after 4th birthday)

  • 4 Polio (3 Polio if the 3rd is given on or after the 4th birthday)

  • 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

  • 1 Varicella (chickenpox) or reliable history of disease

Required for 7th grade entry:

  • 1 Tdap

  • 1 Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)

View our complete Student Immunization Policy.

Medical exemption: A student qualifies for a medical exemption if a doctor recommends they not receive a vaccine for a valid medical reason. Detailed documentation from a doctor is required to be submitted to the school office. Exemption applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the assistance of the school health and legal team. TCS reserves the right to deny any application due to insufficient evidence.

To initiate a vaccine exemption application please email School Director, Jasmine Smith at info@thecommunityschool.me. Those who have been exempted from the vaccine may be required to follow additional Covid safety protocols.