Preschool and Kindergarten age cut-off dates for all states.?

Question

We are a military family. I am concerned about starting my son in school (public or private) with his birthday Sept 9th. His b-day is past the cut off in some states and not in others. I don't want him to have to redo a year just because his birthday is a few days past the cut in a new state. With moving all the time we are thinking of just home schooling him. I think he would do better in a classroom though as we have other little ones at home. Is there a list out there somewhere that has every states cut-off dates? That would really help us in this decision.

Answer 1

I think it is by county here in VA. I live outside DC and the cut off date is Sept. 30.

Answer 2

Honestly, I will tell you that unless he is an extremely rare exception, he would do better to delay entry into pre-k or k regardless of the "cut off date".  Boys mature slower than girls on average, and the Sept. 9th birthday would make him a year younger than most of the rest of the students in his class.  If you want to get him in so the school will be free (as opposed to paying for private day care) I can understand that, but if you do that, you should have the attitude that the first year is sort of an experiment and pretty much plan on him repeating kindergarten the next year.  If you are thinking about home schooling, then use that "almost" year to really work with him on readiness skills including ever important listening and social skills so he will really be ready and then have him assessed at the district you are entering to see what grade they recommend.  It is so much more of an individual development thing that depends on the child, not on a calendar!

If you think it doesn't matter now, imagine what it will be like when he is in high school and all his peers are well into puberty, driving, dating, etc. before he is ready--do you really want him trying to keep up with older kids and growing up that fast?  Or would you rather him be one of the oldest in his class, and possibly give him more opportunities to be the leader rather than the follower?

Answer 3

As a preschool teacher I would suggest you give your child the gift of another year and wait.   I teach at a private Christian school in a two-tiered Kindergarten program that allows children who have later birthdays and are at that time line.   I am the teacher of the first tier in the Kindergarten Program and we have had great success with this.   This time gives your child the opportunity to grow socially and academically and gives them a higher success rate in school.   If you push them ahead they will eventually hit a wall in grade school and then you have bigger problems.  

The midwest area usually has a cut-off date of mid to late August.   At our school (Orange County) in California we have the cut-off date of September 1st.   Hope this helps your decision.

Answer 4

THey will not make him redo a year - it usually concerns start dates in K and 1st grade.  If he is mature and ready, let him get started.

Answer 5

http://users.stargate.net/~cokids/kinder...