Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment
1 Does the state require No. Kindergarten is not N.J. Admin. Code
children to attend compulsory in New Jersey. §6A:24-3.2
Kindergarten?
2 What is the compulsory Age 6 – 16 N.J. Admin. Code §
school age? 18A:38-25
3 What is the state's A student must be 5 years old by N.J. Admin. Code §
Kindergarten entrance age? October 1 in order to have a 18A:38-5
statutory right to enrollment
where a kindergarten program is
offered by a public school.
4 What age exemptions or Opt-in: Age 5, local school board N.J. Admin. Code §
waivers exist for decision. 18A:38-5
Kindergarten entrance?
5 What is an Abbott School The landmark Abbott v. Burke N.J. Admin. Code
District, and does it impact school funding case decided by §18A:44-2
Kindergarten? the New Jersey Supreme Court
requires that all 3- and 4- year-
old children in the highest-
poverty school districts receive
high-quality preschool education.
Abbott School Districts are
required to offer Kindergarten.
Abbott School Districts
6 Can I withdraw my 5-year-old Yes. A child’s parent or guardian, N.J. Admin. Code §
child from Kindergarten? working with the child’s teacher 18A:38-25
and principal, can formally
withdraw a child from
Kindergarten if the child is 5
years old. A 6-year-old cannot be
withdrawn from Kindergarten
because New Jersey law says a
child must be in school by age 6.
7 Does the state require the No, with one exception. Only N.J. Admin. Code
district to offer Kindergarten Abbott School Districts are §18A:44-2
and if so, full or half day? required to offer Kindergarten. It
must be a full-day program.
8 How do I know which public Information about identification N.J. Admin. Code §
school district my child of the school that a child should 6A:22
should be enrolled in? attend may be found by an
internet search using the full
home address and the word
“schools.” Phone numbers,
 addresses, and school leaders’
names are on the webpage. If
internet access is not available,
neighbors, business employees,
and people that are in the
family’s social network are also
good resources. Generally,
children are assigned to a school
based on their home address.
Some children with special needs
are assigned to the school that
can best serve their needs.
Individual school districts may
require various forms of proof of
residency.
9 Are there required admission No, admission tests are not Not specified in
tests for Kindergarten? required. Some districts use a statute, rules, or
screener or assessment to regulations.
determine children’s learning
needs and prepare to meet those
needs.
10 What is the state’s 180 days N.J. Stat. Ann. §
requirement of the minimum 18A:7F-9
number of days in a school
year?
11 What are the state’s District Option N.J. Stat. Ann. §
requirements for the start/or 18A:36-2
finish date of the school
year?
12 How many hours are 2.5 hours for full-day N.J. Admin. Code §
required for grades K-3? Kindergarten 6A:32-8.3
4 hours for grades 1-3
13 What counts as a full-day One continuous session of two N.J. Admin. Code §
attendance for a and one-half hours may be 6A:32-8.3
shortened/snow day? considered a full day in
kindergarten.
14 Does absenteeism count in Yes. NJ school districts hold all Not specified in
Kindergarten? enrolled students accountable statute, rules, or
for attendance from preschool to regulations. District
12-grade. If a student’s absentee guidance is found in
rate is equal to or greater than New Jersey Guidance
10 percent, the student is for Reporting Student
considered chronically absent. Absences and
The school collects the number Calculating Chronic
of days that every student is Absenteeism, and
absent from school. Except for additional information
 preschool, the state is required can be found in the: NJ
to report the total absenteeism ESSA Plan, page 55
rate, including kindergarten, to
the federal government.
Preschool student absenteeism
rates are collected, but not
reported to the federal
government. School districts
have their own policies on what
constitutes a preapproved
excused absence. Ways to reduce
absenteeism should be discussed
with the school district.
15 Can I choose which Children may attend any private School Choice N.J. Stat.
Kindergarten my child Kindergarten program. However, Ann. § 18A:36B-20
attends? if a parent wants to enroll their
child in a public school, the child
may only attend their local
school district or a Charter school
operating within the school
district.
16 What if my district doesn’t Former Abbott Districts are N.J. Stat. Ann. §
offer Kindergarten? required to offer full-day 18A:38-1
kindergarten programs. All other
NJ school districts are not
required to offer kindergarten
programs. Since kindergarten is
not a required grade, children are
not required to attend any
kindergarten program. Each
district has its own plan for
providing educational services to
resident kindergarten-age
children. Families should contact
the district directly.
17 If my 4-year-old child attends If a child is 4 years old when This is a district
private Kindergarten, can I enrolled in a private Kindergarten decision.
enroll them in first grade at program and the following year
my local public school the the parent intends to enroll their
following year? 5-year-old child in first grade at
their public-school district, the
parent should prepare in advance
by asking their school district
about any age-related policies for
first-grade enrollment. In NJ code
the cut-off date for age at
enrollment is October 1.
Therefore, if the child is still 5
years old on or after October 1,
 the district’s policy may require
the child to attend Kindergarten,
not first grade.
18 Are there immunization DTaP Diphtheria, Tetanus, N.J. Admin. Code § 6A
requirements for school acellular Pertussis, Polio 6A:16-2.2
entry? Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
MMR (Measles, Mumps,
Rubella), Varicella (Chickenpox),
Hepatitis B Summary of NJ
School Immunization
Requirements
NJDOE Keeping Our Students
Safe, Healthy & in School
19 What if I don’t want my child Parents have options for N.J. Admin. Code §
to receive vaccinations? exemptions such as religious or 8:57-4.3
other medical exemptions.
N.J. Admin. Code §
8:57-4.4
20 What are the required Medical history, including N.J. Admin. Code §
medical screenings? allergies, past serious illnesses, 6A:16-2.2
injuries, operations, medications,
and current health problems.
Health screenings including
height, weight, hearing, blood
pressure, and vision; and Physical
examinations
21 Is recess a requirement? A public school district shall N.J. Stat. Ann. §
provide a daily recess period of at 18A:35-4.31
least 20 minutes for students in
grades Kindergarten through 5.
22 Will my child need to bring a Contact the district directly. Each Not specified in
snack or lunch for full-day kindergarten program will statute, rules, or
kindergarten? What about provide information on snacks regulations.
half-day kindergarten? and meals to families of enrolling
children. In some school districts
the district board of education
shall establish proof of income
eligibility for free or reduced-
price meals for students. Contact
the district for information on
the free or reduced-price meal
program.
Assessment, Intervention & Retention
23 Are state assessments Assessments in mathematics and N.J. Admin. Code §
required in grades K-3? language arts are required in 6A:8-4.1
grade 3.
24 Beyond the federal and state- Assessments beyond federally Not specified in
required third grade required third-grade assessments statute, rules, or
assessments, what other are not specified in state statute. regulations.
assessments are required in
grades K-3?
25 What do the results of third- Commissioner must report to the N.J. Admin. Code §
grade assessments inform? state board on the results of 6A:8-4.1; N.J. Admin
assessments. The Department Code § 6A:8–4.5
shall report annually to the State
Board and the public on the
progress of all students and
student subgroups in meeting
the NJSLS as measured by the
Statewide assessment by
publishing and distributing the
New Jersey School Report Card.
The department of education
must report assessment results
to district boards of education for
students and student groups
under their observation.
26 If my child needs additional District boards of education shall N.J. Admin. Code §
support, are there establish and implement a 6A:16-8.1
interventions available system for intervention and
beginning in Kindergarten? referral services. The
intervention and referral system
should be designed to assist
students who are experiencing
learning, behavior, or health
difficulties and to assist staff who
have difficulties addressing
students' learning, behavior, or
health needs. Families should ask
the school about a Child Study
Team evaluation.
27 I think my child may have Contact the district directly to N.J. Admin. Code §
special learning needs. What arrange for a Child Study Team 6A:14
services are available? assessment.
The Parental Rights in Special
Education (PRISE) document may
be helpful to understand ways to
help your child.
28 My child just arrived from Yes. The NJDOE works with N.J. Admin. Code §.
another country and does districts to ensure that English 6A:15
not speak English. Are there Language Learners (ELLs) and
special services to help him immigrant students are provided
learn English while he learns equitable educational
other subjects? opportunities to succeed
academically in compliance with
the federal education law (Every
Student Succeeds Act or ESSA).
Families should contact the
district directly.
29 Can Kindergarten students be Students in Kindergarten through N.J. Stat. Ann. §
suspended or expelled from 2nd grade may not receive an 18A:37-2a
school?? out-of-school suspension or
expulsion, with district
exceptions.
30 Can districts retain Retention policies are permitted N.J. Stat. Ann. §
Kindergarten students? and are a local school district 18A:35-4.9
decision.
31 Is parent engagement in Parental notification is required, N.J. Stat. Ann. §
retention decisions required? and parental appeal is allowed. 18A:35-4.9
32 Is there a third-grade Retention and promotion policies N.J. Stat. Ann. §
retention policy? are determined locally. 18A:35-4.9

Curriculum
33 What subjects do children The NJ Student Learning N.J. Admin. Code §
study in kindergarten? Standards for kindergarten 6A:9
students include: English
Language Arts; Mathematics;
Science; Social Studies; Visual &
Performing Arts; World
Languages; Career Readiness, Life
Literacies, & Key Skills;
Comprehensive Health & Physical
Education; Computer Science &
Design Thinking
34 I believe my child is gifted. The age at school entry is a N.J. Admin. Code §
Can my child skip district policy decision. Contact 18A:38-5
kindergarten and go directly the district directly.
to first grade?
Family Engagement
35 Is family engagement Yes. Family engagement is N.J. Admin. Code §
required as part of a included as a requirement of 6A:13A-6.1
student’s transition from student transition plans. District
preschool to Kindergarten? boards of education shall include
P-3rd grade transition programs
in their preschool program plan.

Finances
36 Can a district charge tuition Yes. Other than in Abbott Not specified in
for Kindergarten? districts where tuition may not statute, rules, or
be charged, districts are not regulations.
required to offer Kindergarten.
However, if a district does offer
Kindergarten, they may charge
tuition. If the district charges
tuition, it must have a sliding fee
scale for tuition costs based on
family income.

Health
37 How do I learn more about The NJ DOE has a comprehensive Keeping Our Students
School Health Services? website on Keeping Our Students Safe, Health & In School
Safe, Healthy & In School

Safety
38 How will I know if my child is The NJDOE takes proactive N.J. Admin. Code §
safe at school? measures to protect all our 6A:16-5.1
students and staff members.
Through the Department's Office
of School Preparedness &
Emergency Planning (OSPEP) the
goal is to protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the school
population by providing direct
support to New Jersey's schools
in establishing safe and secure
school environments and
increasing their capacity to
respond in the event of crises. All
schools are required to have a
safety plan. Contact the school
directly for a copy or questions
about their safety plan.
School Readiness & Transitions
39 Are Kindergarten readiness NJ does not require school Not specified in
or entrance assessments entrance exams for any child. statute, rules, or
required for all children? regulations.
40 Can my child take an The state does not require or Not specified in
“entrance exam” to prove provide admission tests. statute, rules, or
that he or she is gifted or can regulations.
go to Kindergarten at age 4?
41 Are there policies in place to The board of education with a N.J. Admin. Code §
guide the preschool to state-funded preschool program 6A:13A-6.1
Kindergarten transition must include their transition
process? initiatives from preschool
through grade three in their
preschool program plan.
42 Does the state have a No. A definition of student Not specified in
statutory definition of school readiness is not listed in NJ statute, rules, or
readiness? statute. regulations.

Social-Emotional Learning
43 What is social and emotional Social and emotional learning NJ DOE Keeping Our
development? (SEL) is the process through Children Safe, Healthy
which all young people and & In School
adults acquire and apply the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes
to develop healthy identities,
manage emotions and achieve
personal and collective goals, feel
and show empathy for others,
establish and maintain
supportive relationships, and
make responsible and caring
decisions.
44 Where is social-emotional Social-emotional development is N.J. Admin. Code §
development emphasized in included in the teacher 6A:9-3.3
statute? professional development
standards.
Teacher Quality
45 What are the teacher-to- 1:25; however, in Abbott N.J. Admin. Code §
student ratio requirements Districts the ratio in K-3 is 6A:32–8.3; N.J. Admin.
for grade K-3? one teacher and one aide for Code §6A:24-3.2
every 21 children.
46 Is an aide required for every School districts in which 40 N.J. Admin. Code §
classroom? percent or more of the 6A:13-3.2
students are "at-risk" as
defined in P.L. 2007, c. 260
shall maintain all existing full-
day kindergarten programs
with a teacher's aide for each
classroom. Class size for
these kindergarten
classrooms shall not exceed
21 students.

Transportation
47 Are Kindergarten students All public elementary school N.J. Stat. Ann. §
eligible for transportation? students (grades K-8) who live 18A:39-1
more than two miles from their
school are entitled to
transportation.