What do I do about Kindergarten next year?

If your child has a late spring, summer, fall or winter birthday you might have been asked this question.

“Are you going to hold them back or send them to Kindergarten?”

It is a controversial topic with no easy answer and it seems everyone has an opinion!

Part of what I love about admissions work, particularly Lower School admissions, is helping parents sort through this very question. Here are some tips.

Determine the age cutoffs at the schools you are interested in your child attending. In Alexandria and many Northern Virginia cities, your child

must be five years old on or before September 30 to register for kindergarten.
If your child does not make the age cutoff see if there is a program for younger students. For example, we have a Junior Kindergarten program, also known as JK, designed for children turning four years old by September 1. It's a great alternative for kids who don't make the kindergarten cut-off date. We even have an Early Saints program for three-year-olds for those families ready to dive into a Saints education.
If your child does make the age cutoff for Kindergarten, but you are curious about your options, talk to the admission office. Speak to your child’s preschool teacher, talk to a friend and/or your pediatrician. We do not have a crystal ball, but it does help to think it through with people you trust.
Be open with the admission director or the school about your concerns. We are here to help you with this decision.

As you research the best kindergarten for your child, be on the lookout for those programs that cherish the joy and wonder of this age and provide plentiful opportunities for self-discovery through play and inquiry. It's a magical time. Make the most of it! See these upcoming events specifically for learning about the Early Years including Early Saints, Junior Kindergarten, and Kindergarten.