Redshirting

[Anonymous]

We just found out we are relocating to DC from NYC this summer. We have 3 kids-oldest will be 5 in August. The cut off date in NYC for K is extremely rigid-how much of a chance do I have holding him back in DC/VA/MD? Does it vary between school to school in each public school system? Both myself and our current PreK teacher think he would benefit from another year of PreK or Junior K, but want to see how strict they are in the DC areas before I really delve into the whole school search.

[Anonymous]

Arlington requires school at 6. Why are you redshirting ?

[Anonymous]

If he turns five in August, you're fine in DC (and in MD/VA). He makes the cutoff both places, so you can either send him on time or hold him for a year based on what you think is the best thing to do. I have heard that DCPS does not allow redshirting for PK3/PK4 spots, but don't quote me on that. (PK isn't guaranteed so they may be stricter about cutoffs.)

NY is uniquely odd in putting kids into first grade if they've never done kindergarten. I've never heard of another state that requires that (though it is an option some places).

[Anonymous]

Also, if you are considering private, note that many privates prefer that August kids go the year they turn six, not five. This is strangely true for NYC privates too despite the December public cutoff.

[Anonymous]

You can do either OP. Where is he delayed that you think holding him back benefits him?

[Anonymous]

OP, if the teachers think he would benefit from another year, you are welcome to keep him out that year in this area. The schools will not object (even if the teachers did not recommend it.)

Considering that the teachers think he should stay back and that you are moving right before school starts, it sounds like waiting a year to start K makes sense for your child.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thank you! I guess I am just jaded by the NYC process and it seems much more "kid friendly" down here.

I would prefer to hold him back because I think he would benefit socially from one more adjustment year. I definitely want him to repeat PreK again but think K would be a bit too overwhelming. This is also what his current PreK teacher has recommended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thank you! I guess I am just jaded by the NYC process and it seems much more "kid friendly" down here.

I would prefer to hold him back because I think he would benefit socially from one more adjustment year. I definitely want him to repeat PreK again but think K would be a bit too overwhelming. This is also what his current PreK teacher has recommended.

You can do this and no one will argue with you. When he gets to K the following year, he will find most kids around the same age as himself anyway, no problems.

[Anonymous]

In DCPS K is compulsory, so if he has not done it they can not automatically send him to first grade. It may be harder to have him repeat K, as the school would have to sign off, so doing private PreK twice or PreK and a junior Kindergarten at a private school would be the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In DCPS K is compulsory, so if he has not done it they can not automatically send him to first grade. It may be harder to have him repeat K, as the school would have to sign off, so doing private PreK twice or PreK and a junior Kindergarten at a private school would be the way to go.

Not OP--but, I don't follow.
I think OP wants to wait a year to send her kid to K. I don't think she wants to go to First Grade after a year in Pre-K.

[DCDad30]

.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In DCPS K is compulsory, so if he has not done it they can not automatically send him to first grade. It may be harder to have him repeat K, as the school would have to sign off, so doing private PreK twice or PreK and a junior Kindergarten at a private school would be the way to go.

Not OP--but, I don't follow.
I think OP wants to wait a year to send her kid to K. I don't think she wants to go to First Grade after a year in Pre-K.

Right--that is what the PP is saying. In DCPS (apparently), kindergarten is compulsory, so if a child has not completed kindergarten, he cannot go to first grade (even if his parents want him to). So if OP keeps her child in preschool for an additional year, he has no choice but to go into kindergarten in DCPS.

In contrast, in many NY districts, including in NYC, if you keep your child in preschool the extra year and then apply, the child must go into first grade if he is first grade aged, even if he has not been to kindergarten yet. Two pretty opposite policies (and both a bit extreme, IMO!)

[Anonymous]

In some counties, you will be able to redshirt him but won't be able to send him to public pre-k. Those spots are limited and are only available for kids who are the correct age. So, you may have to look into private pre-k; just an FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thank you! I guess I am just jaded by the NYC process and it seems much more "kid friendly" down here.

I would prefer to hold him back because I think he would benefit socially from one more adjustment year. I definitely want him to repeat PreK again but think K would be a bit too overwhelming. This is also what his current PreK teacher has recommended.

You'll be fine. Find a junior k program or put him in a private k where the class sizes are small. People do it all the time. No problem.