1. How old must my child be to start school?
2. What do I need to enroll my child in school?
3. What is Kindergarten Registration?
4. Can my Kindergarten student be “moved up” to first grade?
1. How old must my child be to start school?
In accordance with state law, students who are five (5) years old on or before September 1 are eligible for the kindergarten program. A child may be enrolled in the first grade if he or she is at least six (6) years of age at the beginning of the current school year or has been enrolled in the first grade, or completed kindergarten, in the public schools of another state prior to transferring to the district. (TEC 42.003(c))
All students who are at least five years of age on September 1 of the current school year shall be enrolled in the kindergarten program at the time of registration.
Exception to the rule is made for students who have been enrolled in the first grade in the public schools in another state prior to transferring to a Texas public school or have completed kindergarten in the public schools in another state prior to transferring to a Texas public school. Students to whom the exception applies shall be enrolled in the first grade at the time of registration.
Students who are at least five years of age and have been enrolled for at least a half year (as determined by actual school days in the current district school calendar) in a public kindergarten program in another state prior to enrolling in the District may remain in the kindergarten provided space is available on the home campus (or the parent can provide transportation to another campus in which space is available). Also, in order to be promoted to first grade, students must demonstrate academic achievement or proficiency in skills and abilities required in kindergarten. (RRISD Policy FD Local)
2. What do I need to enroll my child in school?
Parents or guardians of new students should present the following items for their child at the time of registration:
- Birth certificate (To obtain a copy of a birth certificate, see below)
- Immunizations record [immunization requirements]
- Proof of residence in the school district (lease agreement, if renting) contract of sale or a tax statement, if purchasing
- Last report card or withdrawal form from previous school district
- Social Security number
3. What is Pre K and Kindergarten Registration?
Any child who will be 5 years old on or before September 1 and who lives in the Round Rock ISD is eligible to attend the district’s full-day kindergarten.
A half-day prekindergarten program is also available for children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1 and who live in the district and have a limited ability to speak and/or comprehend the English language, are homeless, or whose family income allows the child to qualify for free and reduced lunch.
4. Can my kindergarten student be “moved up” to first grade?
The Board approves the following procedures, developed by the Superintendent or designee, to allow a child who is five years old at the beginning of the school year to be assigned initially to grade 1 rather than kindergarten. Criteria for acceleration shall include the following:
- A parent request for testing for alternative placement must be submitted to the principal in writing. The written request must be submitted by May 1 for students who register for kindergarten prior to May 1 and by August 10 for students who register for kindergarten after May 1. Students shall not be eligible to test after school begins.
- In order to be placed in first grade, the student must demonstrate academic achievement or proficiency in skills and abilities required in kindergarten. Achievement and proficiency shall be demonstrated through composite achievement test scores at or above 90th percentile in both reading and mathematics, using spring kindergarten norms;
- A placement committee shall determine the appropriate placement after reviewing all data collected.
- The parent or guardian shall be contacted in writing by the campus principal after the placement decision has been made.