Before reading this material, it would be helpful for you
to first read the State of NC Private School Requirements.

Is there a birthday cutoff date for students to be admitted in to a non-public school kindergarten program?  No.  Non-public school laws give such schools the freedom to establish their own policies regarding the age cutoff for admission.  See G.S. 115C-554 & 562.  For example, a non-public school may require that the child turn age 5 by November 1 of the school year during which the child seeks admission to its kindergarten program.

Must non-public school kindergarten programs operate on full day schedules?  No.  Non-public school kindergartens may utilize a half-day schedule all year long, if the school so desires.

What is the Public Schools of NC birthday cutoff date for children to be eligible for kindergarten enrollment?  Up through the 2008-2009 school year, the child must have reached his/her 5^th birthday on or before October 16 of the school year for which the child is seeking enrollment.  However, starting with the 2009-2010 school year, the child must have reached his/her 5^th birthday on or before August 31 of the school year for which the child is seeking kindergarten enrollment.  See G.S. 115C-364.

Will there be any potential legal ramifications for the student or parent if a non-public school chooses to set its kindergarten entrance age cutoff date later than the Public Schools of NC?  Yes.  G.S. 115C-288a grants to the principal of a local public school authority to grade and classify students presented for enrollment in his/her school.  There is a distinct possibility that the public school principal may not move a younger non-public school kindergarten student in to his/her public school first or second grade.  Read the Attorney General's Office Legal Opinion on this subject.

Q & A Home Page
Links for Educators