Early Childhood Entrance Age Change
DoDEA will make an important change to its entrance age eligibility requirement that will affect the early childhood program for the 2009-10 school year (SY). The entrance eligibility birth date will be adjusted from October 31 to September 1. That means a child must be five years old by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten. The change aligns DoDEA with national trends as well as the age requirement in many military-impacted states.
This change will also affect students in DoDEA's pre-kindergarten, Sure Start, and first grade programs. A child must be four years old by September 1 to attend pre-kindergarten or Sure Start and six years old by September 1 to attend first grade.
DoDEA wants to inform families about this change well in advance so everyone can plan ahead to make the beginning of their child's educational journey a rewarding experience.
The decision is the result of careful consideration and extensive coordination of educators and administrators as well as DoDEA advisory councils. Current trends were researched and reviewed, resulting in a recommendation to change the minimum entrance age requirement.
During SY 2009-10, exceptions to this change will accommodate all students who have completed kindergarten in SY 2008-09 School Year and families who move under Permanent Change of Station orders after the start of the school year whose dependents are already attending an accredited kindergarten or first grade.
Students attending Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools pre-kindergarten programs; Department of Defense Dependent Schools Sure Start Programs, or DoDEA Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities will be allowed to attend the DoDEA programs for an additional year if they do not meet the new kindergarten entrance age. Families should coordinate with their school principal for further details.
States by Kindergarten Age Cut-off Dates
States with DDESS Schools Affected by Change
