Need straight answers about kindergarten registration age

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child will be six before September 30, VA law requires them to enroll in Kindergarten, right?

No. It requires them to enroll him in school. I don't think K is a requirement for first grade, but I would enroll him in Kindergarten. (former K-1 teacher.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve posted here a couple of times in the past day or two and still don’t have a straight answer. I’m really worried!! My husband and I are moving from out of town this summer. He’s going to work in Arlington and I’m going to graduate school in DC starting in December (hopefully). Our daughter is all set—she’s easy!! We need to register our son in kindergarten though but he has a mid summer birthday and will be 6. He’s never had PreK or kindergarten before. A couple of questions:

1. What is the cut off for kindergarten? Can he still register for kindergarten if he’s already 6 or is he too old?
2. Can’t we just enroll in our neighborhood school or do we have to enter the lottery? We’ve already missed the lottery because we only just found out about the transfer. So where would he go to kindergarten?
3. If our daughter is enrolled at the local public school where we live, wouldn’t he automatically get in?
4. Do the answers apply to APS and FCPS or is it different depending on where we live? Also considering Leesburg but I think it’s too far a drive to DC.

Also posting in DC and MD threads. Thanks!!!!!

My son had a late summer birthday and started Kindergarten at the age of 6 in FCPS. Not uncommon! No questions asked!

FCPS (and I believe Arlington too ) has lottery for Immersion schools only, you should be fine registering for your neighborhood school. Sounds like your daughter is not at the neighborhood school already otherwise you wouldn't be asking where to take your son. Maybe send her where she is? Call the school.

APS and FCPS are completely different! Check School County website to find details. Call the school too. Schools are currently doing Kindergarten registration, at least in FCPS.

Leesburg is a great area with great schools but yes at least 1hr. each way drive to DC. Leesburg also has shuttle buses to DC.

Most of FCPS language immersion programs start in first grade. There are a few kindergarten Spanish immersion programs but we are well past the lottery date for the upcoming school year. I believe that the magnet schools in FCPS start in first grade as well.

[Anonymous]

We redshirted my son and he was 6 when he went to kindergarten. There was one other kid redshirted in his class. Honestly you couldn’t tell a difference between the other kids.

One point if you’re looking at Arlington, don’t get your heart set on a particular neighborhood elementary school. They are redoing boundaries which will mean changes for almost all elementary schools. So unless you live righ next to the school there is a chance your school could change.

[Anonymous]

If your daughter is already enrolled and that's where you want your son to be in K, I would start by calling the main office there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why hasn't your almost six year old not been enrolled in preschool or kindergarten?

Maybe because in a lot of cultures moms are at home with their kids and they wait 'til kids are "school age" to start school. Also, daycare is not the same as "Preschool".

[Anonymous]

The Virginia cut off date is September 30, not September 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Virginia cut off date is September 30, not September 1.

Yeah, you're right - duh.