You can sometimes get around your Kindergarten cut off date by appealing it with the school or if you can afford private school that would be another option.
Some private schools will work with you and accept a Kindergarten student after the cut off date.
In most states, children must be 5 years old by August or September to enter kindergarten that academic year.
The Kindergarten cut off date can vary from state to state.
For example here in Arkansas where I am children may enter kindergarten in an Arkansas public school if they will attain the age of five (5) years on or before August 1 of the year in which they are seeking initial enrollment.
Only when a child reaches the legal minimum age by the cutoff date is he or she eligible to start schooling in a given year.
In most educational systems, the enrollment age rule ensures that young children in the same school cohort will be similar in age so that teaching can be more easily standardized and routinized.
To attend Kindergarten students must be between the ages of 4 and 6.
Minimum age for kindergarten entrance is 4 years 7 months before the first day of the school year.
The school may require students admitted to kindergarten to attain the age of 5 on or before August 31 and January 1.
Most clinicians and educators advise parents to avoid holding children back in a grade unless there is no other option.
If your child's school is pushing for it, present them with the research and see if you can discuss other possible options.
A child is eligible for kindergarten if the child will have his or her fifth birthday by September 1.