Admission

San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education

Administrative Regulation 5111

Admission

 

This Administrative Regulation applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

 

Age of Admittance to Kindergarten and First Grade

 

At the beginning of each school year, the Superintendent or designee shall enroll any eligible child who will have his/her fifth or sixth birthday on or before September 1 of that year into kindergarten or first grade, as applicable.  (Education Code 48000, 48010)

 

Any child who will have his/her fifth birthday from September 2 through December 2 of the school year shall be offered a transitional kindergarten (TK) program in accordance with law and Board policy.  (Education Code 48000)

 

(cf. 5123 – Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)

(cf. 6170.1 – Transitional Kindergarten)

 

Kindergarten Waiver Process

 

On a case-by-case basis, a child who will turn five years old in a given school year may be enrolled in kindergarten at any time during that school year with the approval of the child’s parent/guardian.  (Education Code 48000).

 

A student must attend a SFUSD Transitional Kindergarten program to be considered for early enrollment into kindergarten.  A parent may request a kindergarten waiver 30 days after attendance in SFUSD Transitional Kindergarten.  Students who seek a waiver into kindergarten shall not participate in the Student Assignment Process for kindergarten.  The parent/guardian must be given information regarding the advantages and disadvantages and any other explanatory information about the effect of this early admittance.

 

(cf. 5145.6 – Parental Notifications)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding whether a child should be granted early entry to kindergarten. In doing so, the Superintendent or designee shall consider various factors including:

 

1. The child will be five years old by the date of placement.
2. The child has attended SFUSD transitional kindergarten for at least 30 days to allow school personnel to evaluate the child’s ability.
3. The child is in the upper 5 percent of the child’s age group in terms of general mental ability.
4. The physical development and social maturity of the child are consistent with the child’s advanced mental ability.
5. The availability of classroom space and any negotiated maximum class size.

(cf. 6151 – Class Size)

(cf. 7111 – Evaluating Existing Buildings)

 

District staff will determine the start date for early admission to kindergarten, based on the best interests of the child.  Students will be assigned to a school that has space at the time of placement.

 

The Governing Board determines that admittance is in the best interest of the child.

 

Documentation of Age/Grade

 

Prior to the admission of a child to kindergarten or first grade, the parent/guardian shall present proof of the child’s age.  (Education Code 48002)

 

Evidence of the child’s age may include:  (Education Code 48002)

1. A certified copy of a birth certificate or a statement by the local registrar or county recorder certifying the date of birth
2. A duly attested baptism certificate
3. A passport
4. When none of the above documents is obtainable, an affidavit of the parent/guardian
5. Other means prescribed by the Superintendent, Early Education Department, or Education Placement Center.

 

Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.