File: JEB - Entrance Age Requirements

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

A child may enter kindergarten if they are five years old on or before __[set date between August 1 through October 1]__ of the year of enrollment. Younger students who do not meet the district's entrance age requirement for kindergarten may be accepted if transferring from another kindergarten program if the principal or designee determines that placement of the student in kindergarten is appropriate. [Optional language to insert if the district has developed a program plan for highly advanced gifted children: A child who is four years old on or before the district's start date for kindergarten and has been identified as a highly advanced gifted student in accordance with applicable state law may enroll in kindergarten if the principal or designee determines that placement of the student in kindergarten is appropriate.]

A child may enroll in the first grade if they are six years old on or before __[set date between August 1 through October 1]__ of the year of enrollment. Younger students who do not meet the district's entrance age requirement for the first grade may be accepted if transferring from the first grade in another school or if they are determined by the district to be highly advanced gifted children.

A legal birth certificate or other acceptable record is required for enrollment age certification. The principal or designee will make exceptions to these entrance age requirements in accordance with state law pertaining to the education of military children.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-1-115 (school age)

C.R.S. 22-20-204 (program plan requirements regarding highly advanced gifted children)

C.R.S. 22-32-119 (kindergarten)

C.R.S. 22-33-104 (1)(a) (Compulsory School Attendance Law requiring attendance for children aged 6 through 16 as of August 1)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10) (sets October 1 date for funding)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10.5) (defines pupil enrollment count day)

C.R.S. 24-60-3402 (Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children)

1 CCR 301-8, 2220-R-12.00 (highly advanced gifted children)

CROSS REF.: JEA, Compulsory Attendance Ages

NOTE 1: Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, first grade students no longer need to be at least 6 years old as of October 1 in order to be eligible for full-time funding. Instead, all students in grades K-12 must be at least 5 years old as of October 1 in order to be eligible for funding. State law still specifies that a district may count and receive funding only for kindergarten students who are five years old on or before October 1 of the applicable budget year or for kindergarten students who are four years old on or before the district's start date and identified as highly advanced gifted students. C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10)(b)(I)(A) & (B).

NOTE 2: The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, C.R.S. 24-60-3402 requires districts to enroll children of military families in kindergarten or first grade, regardless of the child's age if: (1) the child is transferring from another state and was enrolled in kindergarten or first grade in the other state; and (2) the child has a parent(s) who is active military. The Interstate Compact overrides the entrance age requirements of the School Finance Act, C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10). Please contact CDE's school finance unit for the audit requirements pertaining to this exception.

NOTE 3: While districts may establish an earlier admissions deadline, such as June 1, for preschool students, CDE´s position is that the August 1 deadline in the Compulsory School Attendance Law extends to five-year-olds for purposes of kindergarten. C.R.S. 22-33-104 (1)(a). Districts that wish to set an earlier admissions deadline for kindergarteners should consult with their legal counsel.