Kindergarten

Kindergarten

All FCPS kindergarten programs are full day, most starting at 9 a.m. and dismissing around 3:30 p.m. To enter kindergarten in August, a child must turn 5 years old on or before September 1 of that calendar year. Children entering first grade must have completed public kindergarten or have been approved for entry by FCPS. Whenever possible, parents are encouraged to register their children well in advance of the first day of school so that schools and teachers are prepared to accommodate enrollment.

Parents who do not wish to enroll a 5-year-old in a kindergarten or other approved program may request a 1-year waiver (Waiver Form / Formulario de Renuncia en Español). At the end of the waiver year, the student will enter kindergarten rather than first grade. ECE Office will accept K Waiver Forms for the next school year starting on April 1st of the current school year.

Early Entrance to Kindergarten

The early entrance to kindergarten process identifies exceptions to the state-mandated age of entry for children whose curriculum achievement level far exceeds the norm. The intent of Early Entrance to Kindergarten is to identify highly able children born between September 2nd and October 16th, missing the September 1st cutoff. Additional information on Early Entrance to Kindergarten can be found here. Applications for consideration must be submitted no later than May 31.