Christian County Schools Offer Early Kindergarten Entry Petition Process

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Christian County Public Schools in Kentucky have enacted an Entrance Age Policy 09.121 that allows families to petition for their child to enroll in kindergarten for the 2026-2027 school year even if the child does not meet the state's August 1 age requirement. The process involves submitting a petition form, completing a readiness assessment, and review by the district's Early Entrance Committee.

Why it matters

This policy provides flexibility for families whose children may be developmentally ready for kindergarten but miss the state's age cutoff. It aims to ensure all children can access early education opportunities based on their individual needs and capabilities.

The details

Per Kentucky Senate Bill 24, children must be 5 years old by August 1, 2026 to attend kindergarten that school year. However, the Christian County School Board has enacted an exception process that allows families to petition for early enrollment if their child turns 5 shortly after the cutoff. Families must submit a Petition for Early Enrollment Form 09.121 AP.21 to their child's zoned school guidance counselor by March 31, 2026. The district will then administer a Brigance Assessment to determine the child's readiness, with a $25 processing fee. The Early Entrance Committee will review the petition and assessment results before approving or denying the request.

• Kentucky Senate Bill 24 sets the kindergarten age cutoff as August 1, 2026.
• The deadline to submit a Petition for Early Enrollment Form is March 31, 2026.
• The Brigance Assessment to determine readiness will be scheduled after the petition is submitted.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Families must submit the Petition for Early Enrollment Form 09.121 AP.21 to their child's zoned school guidance counselor by March 31, 2026 in order to be considered for early kindergarten entry for the 2026-2027 school year.