Considerations for prekindergarten and kindergarten applicants
There are a few considerations specific to students applying for prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Considerations for prekindergarten and kindergarten applicants
There are a few considerations specific to students applying for prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Age eligibility requirements
Prekindergarten
PK3 (Prekindergarten Age 3)
Child must turn 3 on or before September 1, 2026 (born on or between September 2, 2022, and September 1, 2023)
PK4 (Prekindergarten Age 4)
Child must turn 4 on or before September 1, 2026 (born on or between September 2, 2021, and September 1, 2022)
Important Note: There are no exceptions to the age requirements for PK3 or PK4.
Kindergarten
Child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026*
*Exceptions to the kindergarten age requirements
Connecticut law requires children to turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to be automatically eligible for kindergarten. The law allows parents to request early enrollment in kindergarten if their student does not meet the age requirement.
Under the law, students who do not turn 5 years old by September 1 may be admitted to kindergarten if:
- The parents submits a written request to the principal of the school to admit their child to kindergarten AND
- The principal of the school determines the child is developmentally ready for kindergarten based on an assessment.
Applying for early entry to kindergarten
Application
The student’s on-time application serves as a parent's written request for early enrollment in kindergarten.
Placement
Kindergarten placement offers made to students who have not reached the age of 5 on or before September 1 will be conditional, pending the results of the assessment. If the assessment determines that kindergarten is not developmentally appropriate for the student, the placement offer is revoked and the student will be placed on the waiting list for PK4.
Prekindergarten tuition
Magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) and Goodwin University Educational System (GUES) charge prekindergarten tuition on a sliding scale based on your family’s income.
The fee for prekindergarten is determined annually but will not exceed $2,320 per child in accordance with Connecticut law. Some schools provide a discount for multiple student enrollment.
Please check with the school for specific details.
