Kindergarten Entrance Date Changes
The National Bureau of Economic Research, in their paper School Starting Age and Cognitive Development, found that children who are older when they begin kindergarten have a measurable advantage compared to their younger classmates over the long term. They tend to achieve higher test scores later in their academic careers and are more likely to attend college.
The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce allows school districts to choose either August 1 or September 30 as the cutoff date by which a child must be five years old to enter kindergarten. The Kings Local School District currently uses September 30 as the kindergarten entrance date.
On Tuesday, October 15, the Kings Board of Education approved the changing of the kindergarten entrance date from September 30 to August 1, effective at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. This date change will also affect our students entering preschool at the Kings Early Childhood Center. Aligning with the District’s kindergarten entrance date, preschool children must be 3 by August 1 to enroll.
The increased expectations in school are most challenging for our youngest learners. Moving the entrance date to August 1 will allow some children an extra year to grow, helping them develop critical cognitive, social, and emotional skills. This additional time can lead to improved academic performance and long-term success.