The School Board hereby establishes entrance age requirements for students which are consistent with statute and sound educational practice and require the equitable treatment of all eligible children.

Pursuant to State law, all children who have attained the age of six (6) years or who will have attained the age of six (6) years by February 1st of any school year or who are older than six (6) years of age but who have not attained the age of sixteen (16) years, except as otherwise provided in Florida statute, are required to attend school regularly during the entire school term. Further, all children enrolling in a District school shall meet the immunization requirements set forth in F.S. 1003.22, as well as provide evidence of a physical exam as required by State law.

The superintendent may require evidence of the age of any child who seeks to enroll in the District or who the superintendent believes to be within the limits of compulsory attendance as provided by law; however, the superintendent will not require evidence from any child who meets regular attendance requirements by attending any of the following schools or programs:

In addition, consistent with rules adopted by the State Board of Education, children with disabilities who have attained the age of three (3) years shall be eligible for admission to the District's special education programs and for related services. Children with disabilities younger than three (3) years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing, visually impaired, dual sensory impaired, orthopedically impaired, other health impaired, who have experienced traumatic brain injury, who have autism spectrum disorder, established conditions, or who exhibit developmental delays or intellectual disabilities may be eligible for special programs and may receive services in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education. The identification of established conditions for children birth through two (2) years of age and developmental delays for children birth through five (5) years of age shall be in accordance rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

Further, as required by F.S. 1003.22 and Policy 5320, Immunizations all children enrolling in a District school shall meet the immunization requirements set forth in State law, as well as provide evidence of a physical exam as required by State law.

Children entering kindergarten in this District for the first time must comply with F.S. 1003.21 regarding entry age. A child must be five (5) years old on or before September 1st, in order to meet the Florida age requirement for kindergarten. A child under age six (6) who is enrolled in kindergarten will be considered of compulsory school age.

Children entering first grade in this District for the first time must comply with F.S. 1003.21. Any child who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1st of the school year and who has been enrolled in a public school or who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1st and has satisfactorily completed the requirements for kindergarten in a non-public school, or who otherwise meets the criteria for admission or transfer in a manner similar to that applicable to other grades, shall progress according to the District's student progression plan.

Students transferring to first grade from a kindergarten program other than the one offered by the District will need written verification of satisfactory completion of kindergarten from the public or non-public school attended. Home education is not an option. Verification forms are available at each elementary school.

Verification of a parent or guardian's residence shall be required at the time the child registers in a District school. Verification of residence may also be required at any other time at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee.

All new enrollees must register in the main office of the school and provide Emergency and Contact Information truthfully and accurately. In addition, changes of address must be reflected on student records.

Where parents are divorced or separated, the parent who enrolled the student is responsible for providing Emergency and Contact Information that is truthful, accurate, and consistent with the most recent court order governing their divorce, separation, or custody matters. Any parent contesting the Emergency and Contact Information may seek assistance from the court governing their divorce, separation, or custody matters to compel the enrolling parent to revise the information provided. The District does not enforce court orders and will not make any change to the Emergency and Contact Information as may be ordered by the court.

In cases in which a student is temporarily not residing with his/her parents or legal guardian for a short period of time, the parent or legal guardian of the student shall designate in writing that adult person with whom the student resides by completing the Affidavit of Person Acting as Parent (Form #______) and submitting to the Pupil Accounting Department for verification and approval in order for him/her to be admitted or continue in school. Upon approval, the Affidavit of Person Acting as Person shall be presented to the Principal.

This provision is not intended to permit students to live with a friend or family member for the purpose of securing enrollment at a particular school, but is provided to recognize extenuating circumstances that may arise whereby a parent is unable to have their child remain in the home. Accordingly, a parent or person acting as parent has the burden of demonstrating the extenuating circumstances.

Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement in writing with the intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his/her duty is guilty of a second degree misdemeanor under F.S. 837.06. In addition, anyone who knowingly makes a false verified declaration is guilty of perjury, a third degree felony under F.S. 92.525.

F.S. 1003.01
F.S. 1003.21
F.S. 1003.22
F.S. 1006.07
F.S. 1012.584
F.A.C. 6A-1.0985

Revised 10/6/15
Revised 11/15/16
Revised 9/4/18
Revised 7/30/19