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Each child must attend school beginning in September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six (per Massachusetts Department of Education*). A child entering Kindergarten must have attained the age of five by August 31 of that year. Effective September 2005, a child entering first grade must have attained the age of six by August 31 of that year.
One consideration for exception to this policy will be for a student who moves into the district after August 31 and was enrolled in grade 1 beginning the current school year in his or her prior community. (This provision respects a grade level reciprocity for students moving into the district from other public schools within the United States.)
A second consideration will be in a situation where a child turns six years of age between August 31 and January 1, exceptions may be made by the Principal and Superintendent for those children who, in the opinion of the Principal and Superintendent, have:
1. attended and completed a rigorous kindergarten program, and
2. can demonstrate academic, social, and emotional readiness for first grade in
accordance with criteria established by the School Department
The decision on whether to grant an exception to the first grade age policy can be made only by the Principal and the Superintendent and their decision is final with no further appeal.
Adopted by the Burlington School Committee: July 22, 2004
Legal Reference: *Massachusetts Department of Education
Burlington Public Schools |