JEB

Admission/Appeal Kindergarten

To be admitted to kindergarten, a child should be 5 years of age by September 1st of the new school year. In extenuating circumstances a child who turns 5 between September 1 and October 1 may be admitted to kindergarten under the early admittance rule.* (please see below for criteria for the early admittance rule.)

To be admitted into first grade a child must be 6 years of age by September 1st of the new school year, or have successfully completed kindergarten in the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District.

When students enter the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District for the first time, the building principal will assign grade placement after careful review of the student’s school records. In most cases grade placement will correspond with the student’s grade assignment in his/her previous school.

*The district recognizes that some children who turn 5 years old shortly after the cutoff date of September 1st may exhibit the cognitive, emotional and social maturity to begin kindergarten. As such, students seeking early admittance must meet the following criteria to be considered for entrance.

1. Written letters (minimum of two) from day care/preschool providers/teachers who have direct knowledge of the child’s readiness for entrance into a full day kindergarten program, if applicable.

2. Kindergarten questionnaire completed by parent, pediatrician and current daycare/preschool provider. In the case of a child who has not attended daycare or preschool, a comprehensive questionnaire will be completed by the full time guardian.

3. Formal assessment conducted by district personnel to determine cognitive, social and emotional development. This assessment may include an observation of the child in his/her preschool setting or within the district’s preschool program.

4. Written notice to the district of a parent’s intent to apply for his/her child’s early admittance must be received no later than March 15th of the prior school year. (With the exception of 2008 in which the intent must be submitted no later than May 1, 2008.)

The early admission team will be comprised of members appointed by the superintendent/principal. After all criteria have been completed the admission team will submit its written recommendation to the principal who will render the final decision.

Adopted August 10, 1972

Amended July 16, 1980

Amended June 24, 1999 – Effective September 1, 2000

Amended May 12, 2004 – Effective September 1, 2004

Amended March 12, 2008