getting an Oct birthday kid into kindergarten early?

[Anonymous]

To the 6:52 poster, yes, Chesterbrook is the old Town & Country.

[Anonymous]

Probably because it would be an administrative hassle = expensive.

And yet, MoCo has a process for kids close to the cutoff to test in. I can't believe it would be that hard for them to do it here.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't. My child turned 5 in August and made the cutoff, but they are one of the youngest and it has hurt them academically and socially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't. My child turned 5 in August and made the cutoff, but they are one of the youngest and it has hurt them academically and socially.

I love how everyone here thinks what applies for their child should be the rule for everyone else's kid too.

[Anonymous]

Just an observation.

"I wouldn't" doesn't necessarily mean "you shouldn't," unless you choose to read it that way.

[Anonymous]

Congressional and Chesterbrook don't "make exceptions." Rather, their cutoff is Oct. 31 instead of Sept. 30. I think the same is true at Pinecrest, either way, I know Pinecrest will consider an October birthday. Finally, Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for October birthdays, especially early October birthdays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't. My child turned 5 in August and made the cutoff, but they are one of the youngest and it has hurt them academically and socially.

I love how everyone here thinks what applies for their child should be the rule for everyone else's kid too.

But why would you discount the opinion of a parent who has experience? Of course there will be exceptions, but for the vast majority the rule is a good one.

We also have an August child. She excels socially, but academically it has been a struggle.

[Anonymous]

DD missed the cut-off by 36 hours (Oct 2 b-day) and the public schools (Arlington) would not make an exception. We found one Catholic school that would allow her in (the Principal trusted that we knew our daughter and her abilities) and we liked the program so went with that for this past year. We will be moving to Fairfax County and are hoping that she will be able to transfer into first grade as she is more than ready (she is ahead of her class in most areas despite being the youngest and does fine socially with her older peers). We will see what transpires when we meet with her new Principal. We are hoping for some rational decision-making since she has completed Kindy in an accredited program. Will keep you posted, OP, on the outcome!

[Anonymous]

To OP..what did u decide to do?

[Anonymous]

My son is a September baby and we lived in WA State when he was turning 5. He could have tested into K (and would have been fine), but the principal cautioned me to think *not* about Kindy -- or ever 1st-2nd. He asked me to think about the Middle School and High School years and did I want him to be the youngest then. We decided against it and it was the BEST decision we could have made. He's in 4th grade now and I cannot imagine him going to Middle School next year.

I'd rather give my child an extra year of childhood any day. They'll be grown up forever.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather give my child an extra year of childhood any day.

You do realize that you can't freeze time just by redshirting, right? Your child's development will continue whether you send him at the developmentally appropriate time or blather on about not rushing him.

[Anonymous]

I am the 5/9/10 poster...just wanted to let everybody know that we did manage to get DD into first grade as a transfer student (from private Kindy) in Fairfax County. I met with the Principal, she reviewed DD's progress reports and then they did an informal reading assessment. We are very pleased that Fairfax County gives principals some discretion to make proper placements (though a formal process like MoCo and Arlington would be preferable). While I was certain that DD would do well in first grade since she breezed through Kindy, both academically and socially, I did want to make sure that she was placed appropriately in the new school, eve if it meant Kindy again. In our case, both we the parents and school felt comfortable putting her in first grade, so a good outcome all around.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - know that there are many others out there like you. Our son will be 6 this Oct, and will start Kinder in September in FCPS. We're excited for him to finally go to kindergarten, and in looking back, realize that this was the best course for him. It really helped that we found a daycare/pre-K program that was stimulating enough to keep him challenged and engaged, while also giving him time to beef up his social skills and confidence. I'm not sure everyone has that opportunity, and I think we're lucky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Congressional and Chesterbrook don't "make exceptions." Rather, their cutoff is Oct. 31 instead of Sept. 30. I think the same is true at Pinecrest, either way, I know Pinecrest will consider an October birthday. Finally, Gesher Jewish Day School in Fairfax will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for October birthdays, especially early October birthdays.

Our daughter is 3 1/2 and starting pre-K at Chesterbrook this month. If she does well with that they will test her to start K early. She has an 11/28 birthday. Why are we doing this? Because she started pre-school early and showed signs of being bored. As a child that was bored in elem school, I want her to have the challenge if she wants it. If she does not do well and needs to do pre-K again, she will do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD missed the cut-off by 36 hours (Oct 2 b-day) and the public schools (Arlington) would not make an exception. We found one Catholic school that would allow her in (the Principal trusted that we knew our daughter and her abilities) and we liked the program so went with that for this past year. We will be moving to Fairfax County and are hoping that she will be able to transfer into first grade as she is more than ready (she is ahead of her class in most areas despite being the youngest and does fine socially with her older peers). We will see what transpires when we meet with her new Principal. We are hoping for some rational decision-making since she has completed Kindy in an accredited program. Will keep you posted, OP, on the outcome!

My son would turn 5 next year on October 6th and I would like to know more details on the accredited course.