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.