ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

po5112Adopted May 1, 2002Revised March 12, 2024

5112 - ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

  1. Generally

    Pursuant to State law, all children who have attained the age of six (6) years or who will have attained the age of six (6) years by February 1st of any school year or who are older than six (6) years of age but who have not attained the age of sixteen (16) years, except as otherwise provided in Florida statute, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. Further, all children enrolling in a District school shall meet the immunization requirements set forth in F.S. 1003.22, as well as provide evidence of a physical exam as required by State law.

    TheSuperintendent may require evidence of the age of any child who seeks to enroll in the District or who theSuperintendent believes to be within the limits of compulsory attendance as provided by law; however, theSuperintendent will not require evidence from any child who meets regular attendance requirements by attending any of the following schools or programs:
     
    1. a parochial, religious, or denominational school;
       
    2. a private school supported in whole or in part by tuition charges or by endowments or gifts;
       
    3. a home education program that meets the requirements of F.S. Chapter 1002; or
       
    4. a private tutoring program that meets the requirements of F.S. Chapter 1002.

In addition, consistent with rules adopted by the State Board of Education, children with disabilities who have attained the age of three (3) years shall be eligible for admission to the District's special education programs and for related services. Children with disabilities younger than three (3) years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, who have experienced traumatic brain injury, who have autism spectrum disorder, established conditions, or who exhibit developmental delays or intellectual disabilities may be eligible for special programs and may receive services in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education. The identification of established conditions for children birth through two (2) years of age and developmental delays for children birth through five (5) years of age shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

Children and youths who are experiencing homelessness and children who are known to the department, as defined in F.S. 39.0016, must have access to a free public education and must be admitted to school in the school district in which they or their families live.

  1. Kindergarten

    Children entering kindergarten in the District for the first time must comply with F.S. 1003.21, regarding entry age. A child must be five (5) years old on or before September 1st, in order to meet the Florida age requirement for kindergarten. A child under age six (6) who is enrolled in kindergarten will be considered of compulsory school age.
  2. First Grade
     
    1. Children entering first grade in the District for the first time must comply with F.S. 1003.21. Any child who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1st of the school year and who has been enrolled in a public school or who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1st and has satisfactorily completed the requirements for kindergarten in a non-public school, or who otherwise meets the criteria for admission or transfer in a manner similar to that applicable to other grades, shall progress according to the District’s Student Progression Plan.
    2. Students transferring to first grade from a kindergarten program other than the one offered by the District's school system will need written verification of satisfactory completion of an appropriate kindergarten program.
  3. Initial Entry
     
    1. Children entering the District for the first time must comply with F.S. 1003.21 and with the District's Student Progression Plan. Students must have an immunization record on file at the school. Any student who does not have the proper immunization shall be temporarily excluded from attendance until compliance has been documented.
    2. Each child who is entitled to admittance to kindergarten or is entitled to any other initial entrance into a public school in the District must have a certification of a school-entry health examination performed within one (1) year before enrollment in school. Students transferring into the District from a school within the State of Florida who have a completed physical examination form as part of their school record need not be re-examined. Examinations taken out-of-state may be accepted if performed within one (1) year of entry and include documentation and reported on the official forms of the physician. A student shall have up to thirty (30) school days to present a certification of a school-entry health examination. Children and youths who are experiencing homelessness and children who are known to the Department, as defined in F.S. 39.0016, shall be given a temporary exemption for thirty (30) school days. The school health services plan shall contain provisions to assist students in obtaining the health examinations.
    3. A child may be exempt from the required physical examination and/or immunization upon written request of the parent/legal guardian of such child stating objection to examination and/or immunization on religious grounds or for medical reasons certified by a competent medical authority.
    4. Any student and/or his/her parent/legal guardian(s) who enters the District for the first time must disclose the following information at the time of enrollment:
       
      1. prior school expulsions*;
      2. arrests resulting in a charge*;
      3. juvenile justice actions*; and
      4. any corresponding referral to mental health services by the school district that the student previously attended.

*Any student who discloses any of the above-referenced matters is subject to the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct, Policy 5500, and Policy 5610 relating to disciplinary placement and/or assignment of students.

  1. Maximum Age for High School Students

    High school students pursuing a standard high school diploma must be able to graduate from high school prior to their 20th birthday.  Permission for students to attend high school to pursue a regular high school diploma after their 20th birthday will be made on an individual basis at the Superintendent’s or designee’s discretion. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to students who are classified as exceptional education students.  
  2. Maximum Age Limit for Re-Entry to High School

    In order to provide reasonable consistency of maturity levels among students in the regular high school program, no one shall be permitted to attend the regular high school program after attaining the age of twenty (20) if s/he has had an interruption in schooling.

    In order to protect the safety and welfare of younger students, principals shall have the authority to accept or not accept in the regular high school program a student who has filed a formal declaration of intent to terminate enrollment with the District Board, in accordance with statute, and is seeking to reenroll in school. This principal’s decision shall be based on factors such as age of student, credits earned, and discipline history.  If the student is not accepted to reenroll in the regular high school, the person shall be afforded the opportunity to pursue a high school diploma through the Adult High School or General Educational Development (GED) programs of the District.  The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to students who are classified as exceptional education students.
  3. Verification of Residence

    Verification of a parent/legal guardian's residence shall be required at the time the child registers in the District. Verification of residence may also be required at any other time at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee. A student whose parent is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within the State while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order shall be considered a resident of the District for purposes of enrollment when the order is submitted to the District.
  4. Notification of in Loco Parentis

    In cases in which a student is temporarily not residing with his/her parent/legal guardians for a short period of time, the parent/legal guardian of the student shall designate in writing that adult person with whom the student resides who stands in loco parentis to the student in order for him/her to be admitted or continue in school. This statement shall be notarized and presented to the principal.

Revised 12/14/04
Revised 4/27/10
Revised 9/11/18
Revised 9/10/19
Revised 10/26/21
Revised 3/12/24
Revised 3/11/25

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