5112 - ENTRANCE AGE

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

1. 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 1st of the year in which the child applies for entrance 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 year in which the child applies for entrance 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 1st in the year in which the child enrolls. A student must have completed a kindergarten program or must receive 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 his or her 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 building 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 building principal may appeal that decision to the District Administrator by submitting a written request to the Administrator within ten (10) days of the decision of the principal.

   The parents of any student denied a waiver by the District Administrator may appeal the decision to the Board by submitting a written request to the District Administrator within ten (10) days of the decision by the Administrator. The District Administrator shall notify the Board President, and a meeting shall be scheduled with the parents. The decision of the Board 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.
   
   Any student who discloses any of the above-referenced matters is subject to the provisions of the Code of Student Conduct, Policy 5500 - Student Code of Conduct of Classroom Conduct, and Policy 5610 - Suspension and Expulsion relating to disciplinary placement and/or assignment of students.

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 registers in a District school. Examples of permissible documents per DPI guidance are:
     1.  Birth certificate.  
     2.  Hospital certificate showing the age of birth.
     3.  Physician's certificate showing age of birth.
     4.  Religious certificate showing date of birth.
     5.  An adoption record.
     6.  Affidavit from parent.
     7.  Previously verified school records.
     8.  Passports.
     9.  Baptismal record.
     10.  Entry in a family bible.
     11.  Other.
7. Early Admission
   The District shall prescribe procedures, conditions, and standards for early admission to four (4) year old kindergarten, five (5) year old kindergarten, and first grade.
8. Older Students
   
   A person who is a resident of the District and over twenty (20) years of age may enroll, provided the District Administrator does not think such enrollment will interfere with the education of the other students.

The District shall prescribe procedures, conditions, and standards for early admission to kindergarten and first grade.

Revised 3/20/19
Revised 9/15/21

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