Kindergarten

If your child is signed up to attend a DCSD charter school, please check with that school directly to receive further information. 

Eligible children must be five years old on or before October 1 of the year of registration.

There is no waiver process in DCSD for students who are not age five by October 1 for kindergarten. If children are advanced beyond the kindergarten level, once they are registered the following year, the school may consider using the Acceleration Process to advance a student to the next level. If you believe your child would qualify as a highly-advanced gifted learner, please refer to the process for "Early Access for Highly Advanced Gifted Children" on the Gifted and Talented page of our website. 

The decision was voted on by the Douglas County School District Board of Education in November 2007 after recommendations made by the District Policy Council and is upheld by building principals and Executive Directors of Schools. 

According to policy, a parent may make that choice; however, it is not recommended. Children would miss the foundation of learning in reading and math that prepares them for success in first grade. Students entering first grade in Douglas County School District are expected to be reading at a level 3 reading level. Without the pre-literacy and literacy skills, a student may begin school at a disadvantage.

In the same way that every child learns to walk at a different age, different children develop academic and social skills at different rates. Here is a Kindergarten Readiness information sheet for your reference (versión en español). This is not a checklist, but a way for you reflect upon your child's strengths and growth areas as you prepare your child for Kindergarten. Douglas County School District Educators can partner with you in determining your child’s individual needs in order for them to have a successful school experience. Please contact your neighborhood school for registration information and assistance.