5112 - ENTRANCE AGE

Enrollment into Early Childhood Program, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade

The Board shall establish student entrance age requirements that are consistent with Wisconsin Law and sound educational practice and which ensure equitable treatment.

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING

A child who has attained the age of three and has been identified as a child with a disability who needs special programs or services shall be placed in an appropriate early childhood special education program as determined by the child's individualized education program (IEP) team in accordance with legal requirements and district procedures.

1. Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
    
   1. A child is eligible for entrance into four (4) year-old kindergarten if the child attains the age of four (4) on or before September 1^st of the school year in which the child is being enrolled and meets the residency requirements.
   2. A child is eligible for five (5) year old kindergarten when the child attains the age of five (5) on or before September 1st of the school year in which the child is being enrolled and meets the residency requirements. The child may not be placed in an alternative program without the permission of the parent.
2. First Grade
   
   A child must be six (6) years of age on or before September 1^st in the school year in which the student enrolls. A student must also have completed a kindergarten program or received a waiver of this requirement.
   
   Any student who has not completed a five (5) year old kindergarten program, but seeks to enroll in first grade must receive a waiver of the requirement. The following students are eligible to receive a waiver:
    
   1. Any student who has moved to the District from another state or country where completion of a five (5) year old kindergarten program is a prerequisite to enrollment in first grade and that student has received a waiver of the requirement in the prior state or country.
   2. Any student who has moved to the District from another state or country that does not require the completion of five (5) year old kindergarten prior to enrollment in first grade.
   3. Any student who, at the discretion of the Principal, in consultation with the first-grade teacher(s) of the District, determines that, notwithstanding that the student has not completed a five (5) year old kindergarten program, the student has demonstrated sufficient aptitude in all core competencies normally required of kindergarten students in the District upon completion of the kindergarten program.
      
      The Principal shall perform any required testing to establish the student’s academic capabilities and shall prepare a written evaluation that either grants or denies the waiver and provides an explanation as to the decision.
3. Appeal of Denial of Waiver
   
   The parents of any student denied a waiver under this section by the Principal may appeal that decision to the District Administrator by submitting a written request to the District Administrator within ten (10) calendar days of the decision of the Principal.
   
   The decision of the District Administrator is final.
4. Initial Entry
   
   Children entering the District for the first time must comply with State law. Students must have an immunization record or a properly submitted waiver on file at the school. Any student who does not have the proper immunization records or appropriate waiver within thirty (30) days of enrollment may be excluded or permitted to remain in school pursuant to Policy 5320 - Immunization.
   
   Any student, and/or the student's parent(s), who enters the District for the first time must disclose prior or pending school expulsions at the time of enrollment.
5. Verification of Residence
   
   Verification of a parent's residence shall be required at the time the child registers in a District school. Verification of residence may also be required at any other time at the discretion of the District Administrator.
6. Verification of Age
   Verification of a child's age shall be required at the time the child enrolls.
7. Early Admission
   
   The District does not allow early entrance to four (4) year old kindergarten. 
8. Older Students
   
   A person who is a resident of the District and over twenty (20) years of age may enroll providing the District Administrator does not think such enrollment will interfere with the education of the other students.

Revised 10/21/19
Revised 1/20/20
Revised 1/17/22
Revised 12/19/22
Revised 12/15/25

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