Early Admission to Kindergarten

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, opinions and knowledge. Seems like it will be challenging to find a school but I'm optimistic. My child is excelling in Pk4 in another state (academically, socially, and behaviorally) but misses the cut off in FCPS by days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think what she’s asking, and what FCPS allows, is starting kindergarten early at a private school and then transferring back to FCPS a few years later.

Here is the language from the FCPS website:
Age

A child may enter kindergarten if he or she turns five on or before September 30 of the year he or she enters school.
This age requirement also applies to students who transfer from other school districts after the start of the school year.
The age requirement is set by Virginia law, and FCPS is not able to make exceptions.

Is kindergarten mandatory?

Virginia law states that parents must ensure a child attends school, if he or she will be five years old on or before September 30.
However, if, in your opinion as a parent, your child is not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared to attend school, he or she may be exempted for that year. You will need to notify your local school if you do not want your child to attend kindergarten until the following year.

Once a student turns six, school attendance is mandatory. Grade placement (either kindergarten or first grade) will be determined at the time of enrollment with consideration for factors such as age, academic records, and school readiness.

If OP’s kid goes to a private kindergarten, they would still be placed in kindergarten the next year in FCPS. Why? Because the child will still be age 5 through September 30. They would not turn 6 until after September 30.

I think you are misunderstanding. They are saying for K, if you come after the start of the school year (ie. Oct-June) of that specific school year. It does not dictate what happens the next school year for 1st grade. So a child could complete K at a private school. And then enroll in first grade the following year in FCPS. They would not be required to take K again because the child would already be 6 at that point.

Sorry, misspoke. The child entering 1st wouldn’t turn 6 until possibly Oct-Dec. The rule above is only for “entering Kindergarten.” It prevents people from starting at a private early for K and transferring in the middle of the year to K in FCPS. Those kids wouldn’t be allowed to enter K in the middle of the year even though they would be 5 already at that point. The next year is a brand new year. There is not a rule about entering 1st grade. If a child completed K somewhere else, they would not repeat K unless a parent wanted them to. In that case they would still follow the rules. A child “may” enter K if they turn 5 before the cut off. The rule doesn’t state they “have” to go into K. Especially if child already completed K elsewhere. The child would be enrolled in 1st.

No, the child who has a birthday in Oct and went for a year of private k would be placed in kindergarten. They are 5 years old and would not be turning 6 until after September 30.

The possible placement into Grade 1 would occur for a child who was eligible for kindergarten but whose parents choose to keep them at home or enroll elsewhere. The child would be turning 6 sometime that year that they are not in FCPS. When the parent came to enroll the child, the school could determine that they should go to kindergarten or to place them in Grade 1.

Sorry this is 100% incorrect.

This. By your mistaken logic, you’d have a 6th grader who went to private school at a place that allowed her to start kindergarten at 4.5 years old (when FCPS would have denied her admission), and wanted to transfer into FCPS as a 2nd, 4th or 6th grader, she’d have to go back and repeat the year before. Ridiculous, right? The language you’re quoting prevents a kid who started kindergarten elsewhere before the age of 5 and wants to transfer into FCPS while still in that same kindergarten year. This will not be allowed.

These kids are not 4.5, and most are turning 5 in September and October. If you transfer in at a later grade its not an issue. Spoken from someone who has done it. They probably will not allow a mid-year in K or possibly 1st, but after 2-3-4-5-6th, they legally cannot force you to hold your child back if your child passed the previous year.

Former FCPS teacher: any child who has completed a grade elsewhere will be able to transfer in to the next grade in FCPS. Admin may try to advise you to consider holding the child back a year, depending on the circumstances.

PA has places that allow it at 4 years and 7 months.

Yep. Don’t know what the PP was babbling about who said if they complete K somewhere else, they would have to repeat K in FCPS the next year because of their age. Ridiculous!!

OP, just transfer your kid to FCPS for 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think what she’s asking, and what FCPS allows, is starting kindergarten early at a private school and then transferring back to FCPS a few years later.

Here is the language from the FCPS website:
Age

A child may enter kindergarten if he or she turns five on or before September 30 of the year he or she enters school.
This age requirement also applies to students who transfer from other school districts after the start of the school year.
The age requirement is set by Virginia law, and FCPS is not able to make exceptions.

Is kindergarten mandatory?

Virginia law states that parents must ensure a child attends school, if he or she will be five years old on or before September 30.
However, if, in your opinion as a parent, your child is not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared to attend school, he or she may be exempted for that year. You will need to notify your local school if you do not want your child to attend kindergarten until the following year.

Once a student turns six, school attendance is mandatory. Grade placement (either kindergarten or first grade) will be determined at the time of enrollment with consideration for factors such as age, academic records, and school readiness.

If OP’s kid goes to a private kindergarten, they would still be placed in kindergarten the next year in FCPS. Why? Because the child will still be age 5 through September 30. They would not turn 6 until after September 30.

I think you are misunderstanding. They are saying for K, if you come after the start of the school year (ie. Oct-June) of that specific school year. It does not dictate what happens the next school year for 1st grade. So a child could complete K at a private school. And then enroll in first grade the following year in FCPS. They would not be required to take K again because the child would already be 6 at that point.

Sorry, misspoke. The child entering 1st wouldn’t turn 6 until possibly Oct-Dec. The rule above is only for “entering Kindergarten.” It prevents people from starting at a private early for K and transferring in the middle of the year to K in FCPS. Those kids wouldn’t be allowed to enter K in the middle of the year even though they would be 5 already at that point. The next year is a brand new year. There is not a rule about entering 1st grade. If a child completed K somewhere else, they would not repeat K unless a parent wanted them to. In that case they would still follow the rules. A child “may” enter K if they turn 5 before the cut off. The rule doesn’t state they “have” to go into K. Especially if child already completed K elsewhere. The child would be enrolled in 1st.

No, the child who has a birthday in Oct and went for a year of private k would be placed in kindergarten. They are 5 years old and would not be turning 6 until after September 30.

The possible placement into Grade 1 would occur for a child who was eligible for kindergarten but whose parents choose to keep them at home or enroll elsewhere. The child would be turning 6 sometime that year that they are not in FCPS. When the parent came to enroll the child, the school could determine that they should go to kindergarten or to place them in Grade 1.

Sorry this is 100% incorrect.

This. By your mistaken logic, you’d have a 6th grader who went to private school at a place that allowed her to start kindergarten at 4.5 years old (when FCPS would have denied her admission), and wanted to transfer into FCPS as a 2nd, 4th or 6th grader, she’d have to go back and repeat the year before. Ridiculous, right? The language you’re quoting prevents a kid who started kindergarten elsewhere before the age of 5 and wants to transfer into FCPS while still in that same kindergarten year. This will not be allowed.

These kids are not 4.5, and most are turning 5 in September and October. If you transfer in at a later grade its not an issue. Spoken from someone who has done it. They probably will not allow a mid-year in K or possibly 1st, but after 2-3-4-5-6th, they legally cannot force you to hold your child back if your child passed the previous year.

Former FCPS teacher: any child who has completed a grade elsewhere will be able to transfer in to the next grade in FCPS. Admin may try to advise you to consider holding the child back a year, depending on the circumstances.

PA has places that allow it at 4 years and 7 months.

Yep. Don’t know what the PP was babbling about who said if they complete K somewhere else, they would have to repeat K in FCPS the next year because of their age. Ridiculous!!

OP, just transfer your kid to FCPS for 1st grade.

I don't know if things have changed since my born one week after the cutoff kid (now a college sophomore) went to private K at age 4 before moving to FCPS the summer before 1st grade, but back then the decision to advance a child in that situation to 1st was up to the school principal. DC had to have an evaluation with the reading specialist who then made a recommendation to the principal, and the principal made the decision. When I went to register DC for school right after we moved the front office was very up front with me that they had to register DC for K pending the evaluation and that there were no guarantees.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that did K at a Primrose school in Loudoun for their day after the cut off kid last year then enrolled in LCPS 1st grade this year. I imagine it would be the same in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But I think what she’s asking, and what FCPS allows, is starting kindergarten early at a private school and then transferring back to FCPS a few years later.

Here is the language from the FCPS website:
Age

A child may enter kindergarten if he or she turns five on or before September 30 of the year he or she enters school.
This age requirement also applies to students who transfer from other school districts after the start of the school year.
The age requirement is set by Virginia law, and FCPS is not able to make exceptions.

Is kindergarten mandatory?

Virginia law states that parents must ensure a child attends school, if he or she will be five years old on or before September 30.
However, if, in your opinion as a parent, your child is not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared to attend school, he or she may be exempted for that year. You will need to notify your local school if you do not want your child to attend kindergarten until the following year.

Once a student turns six, school attendance is mandatory. Grade placement (either kindergarten or first grade) will be determined at the time of enrollment with consideration for factors such as age, academic records, and school readiness.

If OP’s kid goes to a private kindergarten, they would still be placed in kindergarten the next year in FCPS. Why? Because the child will still be age 5 through September 30. They would not turn 6 until after September 30.

I think you are misunderstanding. They are saying for K, if you come after the start of the school year (ie. Oct-June) of that specific school year. It does not dictate what happens the next school year for 1st grade. So a child could complete K at a private school. And then enroll in first grade the following year in FCPS. They would not be required to take K again because the child would already be 6 at that point.

Sorry, misspoke. The child entering 1st wouldn’t turn 6 until possibly Oct-Dec. The rule above is only for “entering Kindergarten.” It prevents people from starting at a private early for K and transferring in the middle of the year to K in FCPS. Those kids wouldn’t be allowed to enter K in the middle of the year even though they would be 5 already at that point. The next year is a brand new year. There is not a rule about entering 1st grade. If a child completed K somewhere else, they would not repeat K unless a parent wanted them to. In that case they would still follow the rules. A child “may” enter K if they turn 5 before the cut off. The rule doesn’t state they “have” to go into K. Especially if child already completed K elsewhere. The child would be enrolled in 1st.

No, the child who has a birthday in Oct and went for a year of private k would be placed in kindergarten. They are 5 years old and would not be turning 6 until after September 30.

The possible placement into Grade 1 would occur for a child who was eligible for kindergarten but whose parents choose to keep them at home or enroll elsewhere. The child would be turning 6 sometime that year that they are not in FCPS. When the parent came to enroll the child, the school could determine that they should go to kindergarten or to place them in Grade 1.

Sorry this is 100% incorrect.

This. By your mistaken logic, you’d have a 6th grader who went to private school at a place that allowed her to start kindergarten at 4.5 years old (when FCPS would have denied her admission), and wanted to transfer into FCPS as a 2nd, 4th or 6th grader, she’d have to go back and repeat the year before. Ridiculous, right? The language you’re quoting prevents a kid who started kindergarten elsewhere before the age of 5 and wants to transfer into FCPS while still in that same kindergarten year. This will not be allowed.

These kids are not 4.5, and most are turning 5 in September and October. If you transfer in at a later grade its not an issue. Spoken from someone who has done it. They probably will not allow a mid-year in K or possibly 1st, but after 2-3-4-5-6th, they legally cannot force you to hold your child back if your child passed the previous year.

Former FCPS teacher: any child who has completed a grade elsewhere will be able to transfer in to the next grade in FCPS. Admin may try to advise you to consider holding the child back a year, depending on the circumstances.

PA has places that allow it at 4 years and 7 months.

Yep. Don’t know what the PP was babbling about who said if they complete K somewhere else, they would have to repeat K in FCPS the next year because of their age. Ridiculous!!

OP, just transfer your kid to FCPS for 1st grade.

I don't know if things have changed since my born one week after the cutoff kid (now a college sophomore) went to private K at age 4 before moving to FCPS the summer before 1st grade, but back then the decision to advance a child in that situation to 1st was up to the school principal. DC had to have an evaluation with the reading specialist who then made a recommendation to the principal, and the principal made the decision. When I went to register DC for school right after we moved the front office was very up front with me that they had to register DC for K pending the evaluation and that there were no guarantees.

But come on, they aren’t going to say no and risk the ire of a parent. Especially if the kid did fine in their private K. That kid would probably run circles around some of the kids in FCPS. And they know it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, opinions and knowledge. Seems like it will be challenging to find a school but I'm optimistic. My child is excelling in Pk4 in another state (academically, socially, and behaviorally) but misses the cut off in FCPS by days.

Yes, this is the hard part. The part that makes it impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of people have posted (in previous threads) that there are private schools that will accept late birthdays into Kindergarten early. Can anyone speak to the process for getting cleared to attend and which private schools have done this? Not looking to debate if this is the right decision; just seeking knowledge regarding the process and schools.

Ah, your snowflake is so advanced they need to go to school (and away from you) early. Couldn't possibly benefit more from home/daycare time than FCPS kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, opinions and knowledge. Seems like it will be challenging to find a school but I'm optimistic. My child is excelling in Pk4 in another state (academically, socially, and behaviorally) but misses the cut off in FCPS by days.

Your child is excelling but is still, in fact, 4 years old. Be in the moment. This year - and certainly access to FCPS kindergarten! - does not define their future potential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, opinions and knowledge. Seems like it will be challenging to find a school but I'm optimistic. My child is excelling in Pk4 in another state (academically, socially, and behaviorally) but misses the cut off in FCPS by days.

Yes, this is the hard part. The part that makes it impossible.

No, that’s not the hard part. The hard parts are:

- being mentally ready for K but not having the physical strength to complete K tasks (hand strength to cut, write, etc.)

- being 17 and heading off to college

- being 15 and all your friends are driving

The first one is a big one. OP doesn’t want a debate, but please understand K is more than just about mental capacity. My own kids read at 2; one picked up a new chapter book for the first time on her second birthday and read it aloud. The other one at 4 could add 3 and 4 digit numbers on his head; I could ask what’s 2963 + 3979 and he could give the answer. Both my kids started kindergarten on time, enjoyed it and were exactly where they should be. Sitting through lessons they already know will be okay…promise.

—former FCPS teacher