Elementary School Initial Placement
Kindergarten
Kindergarten Entry Requirements
In accordance with Florida Statute § 1003.21(1)(a)2, students entering kindergarten must attain the age of five years on or before September 1 of the school year for which entry is sought. The following must also be provided:
- Evidence of date of birth. *
- Evidence of residence.
- Evidence of immunization.
- Evidence of medical examination completed within the last twelve months.
*If an original birth certificate verifying date of birth is not available, the next evidence obtainable in the order set forth below shall be accepted:
- A duly attested transcript of the child’s birth record filed according to law with a public officer charged with the duty of recording births.
- A duly attested transcript of a certificate of baptism showing the date of birth and place of baptism of the child, accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the parent/legal guardian.
- An insurance policy on the child’s life that has been in force for at least two years,
- A bona fide contemporary religious record of the child’s birth accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the parent/legal guardian.
- A passport or certificate of arrival in the United States showing the age of the child.
- A transcript stating date of birth in the child’s school record of at least four years prior to application.
- An affidavit of age sworn to by the parent/legal guardian, accompanied by a certificate of age signed by a public health officer, a public-school physician, or by a licensed practicing physician designated by the district School Board, stating that the health officer or physician has examined the child and believes that the age as stated in the affidavit is substantially correct.
A kindergarten student who transfers from an out-of-state school and who does not meet age requirements for admission to Florida public schools, must satisfy the following:
- Meet age requirements for public schools within the state from which the student is transferring and have academic credit that is acceptable under the rules of the School Board.
In addition, the parent must provide all the following:
- Official documentation that the parent/legal guardian had resident status in the state in which the student was previously enrolled in school.
- Official school records which show attendance, academic information, and grade placement in kindergarten.
- Evidence of residence.
- Evidence of immunization.
- Evidence of date of birth.
- Evidence of medical examination completed within the last twelve months.
Grade 1
Prior to placement in first grade, a student is required to meet the following criteria: 1003.21 2(b) F.S.
- Be six years of age on or before September 1 of the school year. *
- Have satisfactorily completed a public-school kindergarten, or a private kindergarten from which the district school board accepts transfer of credit, or a home-school kindergarten program.
*For additional information establishing the date of birth, please refer to the kindergarten section. The student who has satisfactorily completed a non-public kindergarten program must provide evidence, such as the following:
- Report card or transcript reflective of the child’s satisfactory completion of kindergarten.
- Letter from the principal or director of the school certifying the child’s satisfactory completion of a kindergarten program.
- Evidence of a home-school program.
A first-grade student who transfers from an out-of-state school and does not meet age requirements for Florida public schools must satisfy the following:
- Meet age requirements for public schools within the state from which the student is transferring.
- Have academic credit for completing kindergarten that is acceptable under the rules of the School Board.
In addition, the parent/legal guardian must provide all the following:
- Official documentation that the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) had resident status in the state in which the child was previously enrolled in school.
- Official school records which show attendance, academic information, and grade placement in first grade.
- Evidence of residence.
- Evidence of immunization.
- Evidence of date of birth.
- Evidence of medical examination completed within the last twelve months.
Grades 2 through 5
Students who meet the criteria for admission or transfer shall progress according to the district’s Student Progression Plan. Consistent with school board rules and in accordance with state statute 1012.28 (5) F.S., the Superintendent has designated the principal of the school as the final authority in the placement of students.
The grade placement of any student transferring from out-of-state into grades 2-5 shall be determined by the principal (or designee) of the receiving school. The student must satisfy the following requirements:
- Age requirement for public schools within the state from which the student is transferring.
- Academic credit that is acceptable under the rules of the School Board.
In addition, the parent/legal guardian must provide all the following:
- Official documentation that the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) had resident status in the state in which the child was previously enrolled in school.
- Official school records which show attendance, academic information, and grade placement.
- Evidence of residence.
- Evidence of immunization.
- Evidence of date of birth.
- Evidence of medical examination completed within the last twelve months.
