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3110 - Admission Age Requirements and Placement of Students

Attending the schools of the District shall be recognized as a right and responsibility for those who meet the requirements prescribed by law. Every resident of the District who satisfies the minimum entry age requirement and is less than 21 years of age has the right to attend the District's schools until they completes high school graduation requirements. Children who have reached eight (8) years of age and are less than eighteen (18) years of age are required by law to attend a public school, or an approved private school or educational center, unless they are receiving approved home-based instruction. To be admitted to a kindergarten program which commences in the fall of the year a child must be at least five (5) years of age by August 31st of that school year. To be admitted to a first grade program which commences in the fall of the year a child must be at least six (6) years of age by August 31st of that school year. 

Under certain conditions, children under age five (5) may be admitted. To be considered for early entrance into kindergarten, a child must be five (5) years of age on or before November 30 of the year of entry. These special exemptions may be made for the admission of pupils younger than the minimum age requirements for kindergarten or first grade who appear to be sufficiently advanced to succeed in the educational program. The superintendent or designee shall identify screening processes and instruments that shall provide reliable estimates of these skills and abilities, develop procedures for implementing this Regulation and establish fees to cover expenses incurred in the administration of preadmission screening processes.

The decision regarding grade and classroom placement of a student seeking admission to the District rests with the Superintendent or the designee. Generally students meeting the age of admission requirements or transferring from a public or approved private school shall be placed in kindergarten or first grade, or the grade from which they transferred. The principal shall evaluate the educational record and assessments of the student to determine their appropriate placement. A temporary classroom assignment may be made for no more than thirty (30) calendar days for the purpose of evaluation prior to making the final placement decision.

Students aged twenty-one or older may enroll in schools in the District under the following conditions:

  1. There is available space in the school and program which the student will attend;
  2. Tuition is prepaid;
  3. The student provides their own transportation;
  4. The student resides in the State of Washington; and
  5. In the judgment of the superintendent/designee no adult education program is available at reasonable costs and the District's program is appropriate to the needs of the student.

The student shall petition the Executive Director of Secondary Education for admission. The petition shall identify the student's name, age, address and grade level or program of study. If approved, the petition shall specify the tuition fee to be paid, shall be signed by the student and the Executive Director of Secondary Education and shall constitute the written agreement required by law. It shall be retained as a public document and made available to the state superintendent of public instruction upon request. The tuition fee shall be calculated in the same way the State Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the cost of educating a student in the District.

Adopted:

9/24/1986

Last Revised:

3/20/2023

Related Procedures:

Cross References:

Regulation:

Legal References:

  • RCW 28A.225.160 Attendance age eligibility
  • RCW 28A.225.010 Attendance mandatory--age
  • RCW 28A.225.020 School’s duties upon juvenile’s failure to attend school
  • WAC 180-39 Uniform Entry Qualifications
  • WAC 392-134-010 Attendance rights of part-time public school students