Policy 5210 – Entrance Age

A child may be admitted to 4 year old kindergarten in the District if four (4) years old on or before September 1 and kindergarten if five (5) years old on or before September 1. In the year the child proposes to enter school a child may be admitted to the first grade if the child is six (6) years old on or before September 1. A child who is six (6) years old on or before September 1 must complete a five (5) year old kindergarten program as a prerequisite to being admitted to first grade. Exception to this prerequisite is a student who is six (6) years old on or before September 1 that transfers into the District from a state where completion of kindergarten is not a prerequisite for first grade or they were exempted in a previous district. The age of the student prior to September 1 of the current school year is the primary factor for grade level placement.

LEGAL REF.:

  • Wisconsin Statutes
    • 115.787 Individualized education program
    • 118.14(1)(am) Age of Pupils; phase in of 4 year old kindergarten
    • 118.33 (6) (cm) (1) High school graduation standards; criteria for promotion
    • 121.02(1)(d) School district standards

CROSS REF.:

  • 5200 School Admissions
  • 5475 Students with Disabilities

ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS: None

AFFIRMED: August 13, 1991

REVISED:

  • May 27, 1997
  • September 14, 1999
  • March 22, 2011
  • October 25, 2022

Rule 5210 – Entrance Age

Except as outlined below, no child may be admitted to kindergarten unless the child is five (5) years old on or before September 1 in the year the child proposes to enter school, and no child may be admitted to first grade unless the child is six (6) years old on or before September 1. A District certification form attesting to the age of the child shall be signed by the District employee for school admission. Proof of age shall consist of a birth certificate or medical record,. A parent/guardian failing to provide proof of age shall be referred to the Office of School Leadership –who will make a recommendation to the Superintendent of Schools for final disposition. Procedures to be used in determining early admission are as follows:

  1. Students who are not 4 years old by September 1 of the current school year will not be allowed to enroll in 4 year old kindergarten.
  2. Students who are five (5) years old as September 1 of the current school year and applicable for 5 year old kindergarten will not be allowed to enroll in 4 year old kindergarten.
  3. A child who becomes five years old after September 1 and before October 1 of the same year may be considered for early admission to kindergarten. A child who turns six during the same period may also be considered for admission to first grade.
  4. Application is to be made to the building principal prior to June 1 of the year in which the child is to enroll.
  5. A kindergarten classroom visitation will be scheduled.
  6. Evaluation of the child, at no cost to the parent/guardian, shall be made by designated professional personnel. The student should be in the top ten percent of their age group (91st percentile or above in all abilities – intellect, academic readiness, fine motor development, and social maturity in order to be recommended for Early Entrance).
  7. After the evaluation has been completed, a conference with school personnel and the parent/guardian shall be held to consider the appropriateness of early admission. On the basis of the evaluation findings, the Superintendent/designee may authorize early admission of the child.
  8. A student who transfers from a kindergarten or first grade class in another district and has not attained the proper age by September 1 may be placed following a review by School Leadership.
  9. All students who complete the KUSD 5 year old kindergarten program will be promoted to the first grade of the following school year.
  10. In general, the student’s age prior to September 1 will be the primary factor for grade level placement unless there is an existing IEP or 504 plan that clearly specifies grade level placement. While age is a primary factor for grade level placement, there may be severe circumstances that warrant additional consideration. Other considerations could include but are not limited to academic and social/emotional readiness levels as evaluated by a building-level team and a determination by the principal after a review of related artifacts.