Due to a change in state legislation, all Connecticut school districts have a new age requirement for students entering Kindergarten. Effective in the fall of 2024, children are required to turn five on or before September 1 to be eligible to enroll in public school Kindergarten. 

• If your child turns 5 on or before September 1, 2024, they are eligible for kindergarten and no action is necessary.

• If your child turns 5 after September 1, 2024, they will remain in PreK 4 for the 2024-2025 School Year and enter kindergarten in the fall of 2025, or you can request a waiver to enter Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 School Year.

If your child turns 5 after September 1, 2024 and before January 1, 2025, you must:

• Declare whether you would like your child to stay in PreK 4 or if you would like to request a waiver to enter Kindergarten.

• For current HPS students:

  • If you would like a waiver, ask your principal for a Parent Questionnaire to determine readiness for Kindergarten. You must complete the Parent Questionnaire, which will serve as your request for a waiver to enter Kindergarten without meeting the age requirements.

    • An HPS staff member will reach out to you within 5 business days to let you know if your request for a waiver was accepted.

    • For current HPS students who intend to continue at HPS in kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year, all questionnaires must be completed by March 1 for a waiver to be considered.

• For students attending an early childhood program outside of HPS:

  • You will be provided with the Parent Questionnaire when you apply to a Kindergarten program. Learn more about applying to HPS here.

This law also impacts the age requirements for incoming PreK 3 and PreK 4 students starting with the 2024-2025 school year :

• If your child turns 4 on or before September 1, they are eligible to enter PreK 4 

• If your child turns 4 after September 1, they are not eligible to enter PreK 4 

  • For the 24-25 school year, these students will remain in PreK 3

• If your child turns 3 on or before September 1, they are eligible to enter PreK 3 

• If your child turns 3 after September 1, they are not eligible to enter PreK 3 

Again, these new age requirements are effective across all public school districts in Connecticut to better support the development and performance of our youngest learners.