Any kids in Arlington skip Kindergarten? Weird situation.

[Anonymous]

Weird situation - not sure what to do about it.

We were living in DC and we redshirted our July son this past fall because we were planning to send him to private - standard practice. He is thriving in his pre-k program. Already writing, reading, etc.

After some soul searching this year we've decided to move to VA - probably Arlington or McLean - this summer and send him to public school. But we've been hearing that red shirting isn't as common in VA. And, quite honestly, I'm afraid of him getting bored in school down the line. So we really wish now that he was on-time for his grade and are exploring options.

I know legally he doesn't need to attend K in VA. But does anyone really ever skip K? What if the child seemed prepared in a lot of ways (academically, socially, etc).

Any other ideas for this sticky situation?

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Redshirting is definitely not uncommon in VA, and I would think you should definitely send him to K. It will be harder to be the new kid in first grade.

[Anonymous]

Once you've found a house, go and talk to the principal of the school he'll be attending. You'll get better advice from an educational professional than an anonymous forum! You'll also know more about your DS in July than January. The principal should know the age range for the incoming K and 1st grades.

[Anonymous]

If your child is reading pretty well and seems kind of "old" for his preschool class, then I think you'll be fine sending him to first grade. There's nothing wrong with sending him to kindergarten either, though.

The biggest adjustment will be learning to do the lunch line and where to go afterschool (i.e. bus, child care van, etc), and some of the other procedural things that kindergarten teachers are used to supervising, but by first grade, they assume the kids know what to do. Even in VA, there used to be kids who went to private K and then started public school in first grade.... (back when kinderg. was half day at some schools) so it is not totally unheard of for a first grader not to know all the procedures. But, I think that will likely be your biggest hurdle. It seems like they spend about 6 weeks just getting acclimated in the beginning of each year, so the academic stuff probably will be o.k.

[Anonymous]

Red shirting is DEFINITELY COMMON in VA!

Also if you were going to try to go the 1st grade route he would first have to hae permission to test into the the 1st grade at the school. Permission and then testing.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the ideas - will definitely get in touch with the school once we narrow it down.

[Anonymous]

My kid did this in Fairfax County, for different reasons. I placed him in K thinking that was my only option (since he had never gone to K), and the school moved him to 1st within a week (after testing). I was told later that I could have just enrolled him in First because of his age (without asking the school) because K is sort of optional and First was age appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did this in Fairfax County, for different reasons. I placed him in K thinking that was my only option (since he had never gone to K), and the school moved him to 1st within a week (after testing). I was told later that I could have just enrolled him in First because of his age (without asking the school) because K is sort of optional and First was age appropriate.

Thank you - very helpful!

[Anonymous]

My July birthday son did not attend Kindergarten in APS though he did do a "kindergarten" program in his daycare. He went right into first grade. It was No Big Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My July birthday son did not attend Kindergarten in APS though he did do a "kindergarten" program in his daycare. He went right into first grade. It was No Big Deal.

Thanks! Do you know if the daycare used the VA state curriculum?

[Anonymous]

I want to redshift my son next year. We visited the principal of the school he would go to and a very nice person, but I'm already getting push back. Generally, not specific to my child.

Who has the ultimate right to decide this Arlington? If anyone can point me to a reference I'd appreciate it. (no judgments please - the situation is personal). Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Redshirt. Darn iPhone autocorrect. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Red shirting is DEFINITELY COMMON in VA!

Also if you were going to try to go the 1st grade route he would first have to hae permission to test into the the 1st grade at the school. Permission and then testing.

You could go either way and be 100% fine. But based on age I don't know that testing is required. I just never heard of it for a grade age appropriate kid.

[Anonymous]

Redshirting of boys born in June-September is very very common in Arlington. I definitely wouldn't skip K. It is much harder to acclimate to friendships and the school when you start in 1st.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Redshirting of boys born in June-September is very very common in Arlington. I definitely wouldn't skip K. It is much harder to acclimate to friendships and the school when you start in 1st.

I disagree with this somewhat. My son's school (Glebe) has 5 1st grade classes. Of his K class, only 3 other students are now in his 1st grade class - only one of whom he was really friends with. So, basically in 1st grade everyone was new to him, and when he goes to 2nd grade next year, there will still be many students he doesn't know. So, I don't think it's a big deal to start in 1st. Yes, your child won't know the school and the routine as well as other, but since things change every grade as far as specials, etc. so everyone will be dealing with new things.