B O L T O N P U B L I C S C H O O L S
Connecticut Kindergarten Entry Age Changes for 2024-2025 School Year
All Connecticut districts have a new age requirement for the incoming Kindergarten class. Effective in the fall of 2024, children need to turn five on or before September 1 of the school year in order to be eligible to enroll in public school Kindergarten. This is a change from the previous Kindergarten enrollment birthdate of January 1. It is important to note that Connecticut is one of the last states in the U.S. to make a change to a September 1st birthdate for Kindergarten entry. The legislation also allows a school district to admit a child who has not turned five by September 1 of the school year if (1) the parent makes a request in writing and (2) the school district then conducts an assessment of the child to ensure that admitting such child is developmentally appropriate. National longitudinal studies indicate that students who begin Kindergarten at 5 years old in September have statistically stronger performance than students who enter Kindergarten early.
Children Who Have Turned 5 Years Old by September 1, 2024
If your child is age eligible (turning 5 years old on or before September 1, 2024), you may register your child for Kindergarten at Bolton Center School located at 108 Notch Road for the 2024-2025 school year in the Main Office starting Monday, February 26th. Parents will need to contact the main office at 860-643-2411 and speak with Judy Ramsdell to schedule an appointment for registration. We encourage parents to access the registration forms online via our website at www.boltonpublicschools.com, and complete them prior to coming to the school office.
Please bring the following documents:
Child’s Birth Certificate
Proof of parent’s residency
Current immunization and physical information
Other important dates:
Parent meeting via Zoom for incoming kindergarten parents – Thursday, May 16th from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Kindergarten Screener – Thursday, May 30th
Teacher Meet and Greet and Bus Ride - Tuesday, August 27th
Children Who Turn 5 Years Old between September 2, 2024 and January 1, 2025
If you have a child turning 5 years old between September 2, 2025 and January 1, 2025 and do not wish to request early Kindergarten enrollment for the fall of 2024, no action is needed. Registration for the fall 2025 Kindergarten will take place in February 2025.
If you have a child who turns 5 years old between September 2, 2025 and January 1, 2025 and would like your child to be considered for early Kindergarten enrollment in the fall of 2024, please note the following steps parents/guardians must complete:
The Request for Early Kindergarten Entrance Form no later than Friday, February 16, 2024. This will serve as your formal written request. A copy will be shared with BCS Principal Darryl Giard.
As a provision of the new state law, an in-person assessment is requested for all students requesting early entrance to Kindergarten. These will be available by appointment scheduled with the school after March 1st. The child will need to meet or exceed Kindergarten readiness benchmarks in numeracy, literacy, social, and language skills to be granted early admittance to Kindergarten.
The DIAL 4 Parent Questionnaire will be provided by the school after receipt of the waiver. It must be returned at your child’s scheduled in-person assessment.
Parents/guardians will be notified of the district early entrance decision within two weeks of your screening date. Students will not be screened more than once and the District decision is final. Parents/guardians requesting an early entrance decision should NOT initiate Kindergarten registration until they have received a final decision from the District.
Please contact the Bolton Center School Assistant Principal Amela Kelleher at 860-643-2411 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kristin B. Heckt
Superintendent of Schools