Board Policy JBB: Entrance Age

Entrance Age

1. Minimum Enrollment Ages

The following minimum age requirements shall apply to enrollment in the DeKalb County School District.

1. First Grade

To be eligible for enrollment in the first grade, a child must attain the age of six by September 1 of the school year. However, a child who was a legal resident of one or more other states for a period of two years immediately prior to moving to Georgia and who was legally enrolled in a public kindergarten or first grade, or a kindergarten or first grade accredited by a state or regional association, shall be eligible for enrollment in the first grade if the child will attain the age of six by December 31 of the school year and is otherwise qualified to attend school in the District. A birth certificate or a certificate of registration must be presented to the relevant school official before the student will be allowed to enroll.

1. Kindergarten

To be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten, a child must attain the age of five by September 1 of the school year. However, a child who was a legal resident of one or more other states for a period of two years immediately prior to moving to Georgia and who was legally enrolled in a public kindergarten, or a kindergarten accredited by a state or regional association, shall be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten if the child will attain the age of five by December 31 of the school year and is otherwise qualified to attend school in the District. A birth certificate or a certificate of registration must be presented to the relevant school official before the student will be allowed to enroll. Enrollment in kindergarten is not mandated by law; it is a voluntary program.

1. Prekindergarten

Depending on financial and other considerations, the District may provide a program of prekindergarten instruction for children who will attain the age of four by September 1 of the school year. Whenever enrollment exceeds the number of available prekindergarten seats, admission will be determined by lottery. A birth certificate or a certificate of registration must be presented to the relevant school official before the student will be allowed to enroll. Eligibility requirements for state-funded and federally-funded prekindergarten programs also must be met.

1. Children Under Age Four

A child who has a disabling condition so severe as to necessitate early intervention may be eligible for special education services starting at birth.

Additionally, the District may implement instructional programs specifically designed and intended for children under the age of four in which a limited number of spaces for such students are made available. Information regarding any such program shall be included in the School Choice brochure and on the District’s website.

1. MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT AGES

The following maximum age requirements shall apply to enrollment in the District.

1. General Education Program

A student is eligible for enrollment in the appropriate general education program unless the student either attains the age of twenty on or before September 1 or has received a high school diploma or the equivalent. Provided a student has not dropped out of school for one semester or more, this eligibility shall be extended if the student has not attained the age of twenty-one on or before September 1 or received a high school diploma or the equivalent.

1. Special Education Program

A special education student is eligible for enrollment in appropriate education programs up to and including his or her twenty-second birthday, or until he or she receives a high school or special education diploma or the equivalent, whichever occurs first, provided the student was enrolled the preceding school year and had an approved Individualized Education Plan which indicated that a successive year of enrollment was needed.