Need straight answers about kindergarten registration age
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Anonymous
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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!!!!! |
Anonymous
| Your child will be fine to register for kindergarten, he’ll be the same age as any other summer birthdays who were red shirted. I can’t speak to DC (their system is its own unique mess), but in Virginia, your child can enroll in their neighborhood school without going through a lottery. We are APS so I only know their lottery, which you did miss so it’s highly unlike he would get into a lottery option school (unless he’s a native spanish speaker and you want immersion). So if you move to Arlington, he would start kindergarten in your neighborhood school, same as your daughter. |
Anonymous
| Most kids in VA aren't red-shirted though- it definitely happens more in different pocket areas but in my time teaching in APS I would say it happens but not as much as DCUM makes it seem. Your kid will be a full year older than a bunch of his classmates but there will be plenty of kids turning 6 right after the cut off so it's not like he's going to be the only older one. APS has a few option schools that you lottery into but every child in APS will have a neighborhood school based in their address so you are fine. And you are right, Leesburg is way to far for Arlington and DC commutes especially with young kids- you need to look at Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax. |
Anonymous
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I misunderstood your other posts if he’s turning 6 this summer, then yes he will have to register for ki
Kindergarten. Will you be in arlington? You have already redshirted once. Here’s the rule for arlington: Kindergarten is recommended, but not required by law. However, you must inform the school system in writing if you decide not to register your child. If your child will be six years old by Sept. 30, Virginia Law requires you to enroll your child in school. Please send your correspondence to the Director of Elementary Education and Early Childhood Pre-K Programs Wendy Pilch in the Office of Early Childhood at 2110 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204. |
Anonymous
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The Fairfax information is here:
https://www.fcps.edu/registration/kindergarten-registration It sounds like your kid is currently 5 and will turn 6 over the summer, and has never been school before. If so, yes kindergarten is appropriate. If he had previously been in school and learned some writing and school behavior you could maybe put him into 1st but it doesn't sound like you want that anyway. |
Anonymous
| CALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ASK THESE QUESTIONS. |
Anonymous
Sure, because it’s super easy to get someone on the phone in the central office when it’s closed due to a pandemic. 
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Anonymous
| Op as others have said I don’t think you should have an issue registering him for kindergarten in VA schools, though he will be older than many of his classmates but some do redshirt with summer birthdays so it won’t be that out of the norm, probably a few others in the same boat. In APS and FCPS you can just go to your neighborhood school and most are pretty good. The lottery I think you’re hearing about is DC. That is a whole more complex system. APS does have a lottery for a few schools that are considered option schools but the vast majority of kids just go to their neighborhood schools so I would not worry about that at this point - that ship has sailed and it’s nothing to be worried about since there are great neighborhood options. Leesburg is pretty far from dc especially if during regular rush hour hours (at least pre-pandemic). |
Anonymous
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. |
Anonymous
| Why hasn't your almost six year old not been enrolled in preschool or kindergarten? |
Anonymous
| Leesburg would be too far. Your answers to your questions about APS are ... on the APS site. Try that, maybe? |
Anonymous
| If your child will be six before September 30, VA law requires them to enroll in Kindergarten, right? |
Anonymous
| There’s a neighborhood boundary locater online that will show you where your kid will go to school. Make a list, take a deep breath, and set aside 15 minutes to research these things, perhaps. |
Anonymous
| If he's turning 6 in the summer you should register him for kindergarten. |
Anonymous
| You're confused about this because VA has a weird cutoff in comparison to the majority of states. The September 1 cutoff is unusual. Many people whose kids have summer birthdays redshirt, so that they start kindergarten at 6 rather than 5. Your child will not be the oldest kid in the class. Since he hasn't attended kindergarten in another state you should register him for kindergarten. |