Southmoreland School District

201.  ADMISSION OF BEGINNERS

1.   Purpose

      SC 1301

The Board shall establish age requirements for the admission of beginners which are consistent with statute and sound educational practice and which ensure the equitable treatment of all eligible children.

2.   Authority

Beginners

      SC 1304, 1326

Beginners are children entering the lowest grade of the primary school above the kindergarten level. They shall be admitted to school only during the first two (2) weeks of the annual school term except that a child who is eight (8) years of age may begin school at any time during the school year.

      Title 22

      Sec. 11.15

      SC 1304

A beginner is eligible for admission to the lowest grade of the primary school if s/he has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of that year.

A child who has satisfactorily completed an approved kindergarten program other than that of the Southmoreland School District and whose chronological age is less than the minimum age for entrance as a beginner as of the admission period of the district's school term may be admitted as a beginner in the Southmoreland School District.

Kindergarten

      Title 22

      Sec. 11.14

The Board has discretionary authority to admit students early to kindergarten and first grade. The following guidelines shall apply to early admission:

1.      Children will be admitted into the Southmoreland Elementary Schools even though they have not met the chronological age as set by the policy adopted by the Board provided:

a.         The child has attained a chronological age of five (5) by January 31 of the school year in which s/he enters kindergarten.

b.         The child has attained a chronological age of six (6) by January 31 of the school year in which s/he enters first grade.

c.         The child has been determined by a certified school psychologist to be a gifted child and has been recommended by the certified school psychologist, with the approval of the Superintendent, for admission into kindergarten or first grade as the case may be.

2.      Parents wishing their child(ren) to be considered for early admission to the elementary schools of this district should make application, in writing, to the Superintendent through the Elementary Principal no later than April 1 of the year in which admission is being requested. Parents wishing psychological testing to be done by the school must so indicate in their letter of application. Parents who do not desire that psychological testing be done by the school must arrange for psychological testing by a certified school psychologist. The psychologist's recommendation, in writing, must be given to the Elementary Principal no later than June 30 of the year in which admission is desired.

3.   Delegation of       Responsibility

The Superintendent shall require that each child who registers for entrance to school exhibit his/her birth certificate or similar documentation as proof of age and birthdate.