Board Policy 5111 - Early Admission to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade

I. Policy Statement

Because the first years of school are so essential to a successful long-term educational experience, Prince George’s County Board of Education (Board) is committed to every effort being made to ensure that the early years of a student’s education provide a solid foundation critical to ongoing academic success.

II. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the early admission of students to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade.

III. Definitions

Within the context of this policy, the following definitions apply:

1. Age-eligible – Children who meet one of the following requirements:
   1. For pre-kindergarten, children who are four (4) years old or older on September 1st of the school year.
   2. For kindergarten, children who are five (5) years old or older on September 1st of the school year.
   3. For first grade, children who are six (6) years old or older on September 1st of the school year.
2. Age-eligible to apply for early admission – Children who meet one of the following requirements:
   1. For pre-kindergarten, children who will turn four (4) years old between September 2nd and October 15th of the school year in which the child applies for entrance.
   2. For kindergarten, children who will turn five (5) years old between September 2nd and October 15th of the school year in which the child applies for entrance.
   3. For first grade, children who will turn six (6) years old between September 2nd and October 15th of the school year in which the child applies for entrance.

IV. Standards

1. As stipulated by the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), age-eligible children shall be four (4) years or older on September 1st of the school year to enter prekindergarten, five (5) years or older on September 1st of the school year to enter kindergarten, and six (6) years old or older on September 1st of the school year to enter first grade.
2. In addition to being age-eligible to apply for early admission, early admission to prekindergarten shall be offered only to students who meet all the enrollment qualifications required in COMAR 13A.06.02 and Administrative Procedure 5111.1, and who have demonstrated educational needs warranting early admission.
3. In addition to being age-eligible to apply for early admission, early admission to kindergarten and first grade shall be offered only to students who demonstrate exceptional abilities in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and who are able to successfully learn in a setting with children who are more than one year older.
4. The Superintendent/designee will establish an application process in which parents or guardians of children who are eligible to apply for early admission must complete. Only children who successfully meet the application requirements shall be accepted for early admission.

V. Implementation Responsibilities

The Superintendent is authorized to develop administrative procedures to implement this policy.

VI. References

1. Legal
   MD. CODE ANN., EDUC. § 7-301
   COMAR 13A.06.02.03
   COMAR 13A.08.01.02
2. Other Board Policies
3. Superintendent’s Administrative Procedures
   Administrative Procedure 5111 – Registration and Withdrawal of Students
   Administrative Procedure 5111.1 – Admission to Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade
4. Other

VII. History

Policy Adopted 06/26/25

Documents

• Board Policy 5111 -  Early Admission to Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade.pdf