Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Kindergarten and First Grade Entry

Is my child eligible to attend kindergarten or first grade?

On July 1, 1997 SB 572 went into effect in Missouri public school districts. Assessment testing for admittance into kindergarten was eliminated and replaced by the kindergarten/first grade entry date of August 1. A summary of the entry law follows.

According to section 160.051 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), "[a]ny child whose fifth birthday occurs before the first day of August shall be deemed to have attained the age of five years at the commencement of the school year beginning in that calendar year for the purpose of apportioning state school funds and for all other purposes." Under section 160.053, RSMo "a child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if the child reaches the age of five (5) before the first day of August of the school year beginning in that calendar year." A child who reaches the age of five prior to the cut-off date is also eligible for admission to the summer school session immediately preceding kindergarten. Are there any exceptions to the cut-off date?

The law authorizes an exception to the cut-off date. The exception applies to students in the St. Louis and Kansas City School Districts. These districts are authorized to establish a different cut-off date. Children attending these districts and transferring to an out-state district would be enrolled, even if they did not meet the August 1 cut-off date.

Another exception that is not stated in Missouri law, but some districts recognize is where a student attends kindergarten in another state and transfers into Missouri during the kindergarten year or for first grade. Some districts enroll the student on the theory of giving "full faith and credit" to the other states' laws. You will need to contact your local school district to see if they give full faith and credit to other states' entry laws.

According to section 160.053, RSMo "[a] child is eligible for admission to first grade if the child reaches the age of six (6) before the first day of August of the school year beginning in that calendar year." Again, exceptions apply to students in the Kansas City and St. Louis School Districts. These districts are authorized to establish a different cut-off date. Children attending these districts and transferring to an out-of-state district would be enrolled, even if they did not meet the August 1 cut-off date. The other exception would give "full faith and credit" to other states' first grade entry laws.

Section 160.053, RSMo provides that "any child who completes the kindergarten year shall not be required to meet the age requirements of a district for entrance into grade one."  State statute does not specify the type of kindergarten program which must be completed prior to promotion to the first grade.  Most school districts accept successful completion of kindergarten at any accredited public, private or parochial school as sufficient basis for promotion to the first grade.  A child transferring from an unaccredited school, such as a home school, may be subject to additional evaluation to determine promotion.  Parents should contact the school district in which they intend to enroll to determine that district's policy.

(Links below to Missouri General Assembly Website)