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6.01.2024

Kindergarten and First Grade Enrollment

In the 2023 Nevada legislative session, legislators passed Assembly Bill 65 (AB65) which changed age requirements for entry into Kindergarten and First Grade for all school districts in Nevada. 

On May 3, 2024, the Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jhone Ebert, issued a memo to provide clarification on what these changes mean for students in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. This article provides a summary of the information provided to all school districts and charter schools in that memo.

Who can enroll in kindergarten in Nevada for the 2024-2025 school year?

• A child who is five years old on or before August 1, 2024.
• A child who is six years old on or before August 1, 2024, but has not completed kindergarten.

Who can enroll in first grade in Nevada for the 2024-2025 school year?

• A child who is six years old on or before August 1, 2024, and has completed kindergarten.
• A child of any age that successfully completed kindergarten in a public school (including private
• schools) during the 2023-2024 school year.
• A child of any age who becomes a resident of this State after completing kindergarten or beginning first grade in another state in accordance with the laws of that state.

Are there any exemptions to the above enrollment criteria? 

Yes, there are exceptions if a child moved to Nevada from outside of the state because of the military transfer of the parent or legal guardian. 

1. A child who transfers to a school in this State from a school outside of this State because of the military transfer of the parent or legal guardian of the child can enroll in kindergarten if the child was enrolled in kindergarten in another state in accordance with the laws of that state, regardless of the child’s age. The transfer can occur at any point in the school year. 
2. A child who transfers to a school in Nevada from a school outside of this State because of the military transfer of the parent or legal guardian of the child can enroll in first grade if that was the grade the child would be attending had he or she remained a resident of the other state. The transfer can occur at any point in the school year.

Are there any other exemptions, other than military, to the enrollment criteria?

No, there are no additional exceptions.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of frequently asked questions:

1. Can a child who is not yet five years old on August 1, 2024, and completed pre-kindergarten in the 2023-2024 school year, enroll in kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year?
   Answer: No, the child does not meet the minimum age requirement.
   
   
2. Can a child who completed kindergarten via online or homeschool enroll in first grade
   Answer: No, the requirement for the completion of kindergarten is only met through public or private schools.
   
   
3. Can a child enrolled in kindergarten in another state that did not turn five years old on or before August 1, 2024, transfer mid-year into kindergarten?
   Answer: No, per AB65 the child does not meet the minimum age requirement (unless the child moved because of the military transfer of a parent or guardian – see above military transfer exceptions.)
   
   
4. Can a child who is not yet five years old on August 1, 2024, take an assessment which would allow him/her to enroll in kindergarten?
   Answer: No.