http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten Help! I thought I had it made, my son has a January birthday and automatically was excluded from Kindergarten last year. I sent him to a preschool 4 program instead. Due to my family's move and my husband's new job, we have the opportunity to send both of our older kids to Catholic School (they were in a Lutheran School previously). Now the Kindergarten teacher who screened him has strongly advised him going to their "Junior Kindergarten" as Kindergarten is all day and very academic, even though he will be turning 6 this year. That would put him turning 7 in Kindergarten if I take her advice! Do I go with my gut and send him elsewhere for Kindergarten and let my daughter attend (she's in fourth grade), and if I do that, will he be able to catch up to their academics by the following year? (They alluded to the fact that even if I send him elsewhere, he would still be behind for their first grade curriculum the following year.) What to do! GreatSchools en-us johannterry Hi! We had the same experience with the private school that we first went into for my child's education. I have a 4-year old son and he's turning 5 in ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=1#comment_242153 5100.242153 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:02:56 -0700 Energy4ever you need to have the teacher explain why she feel your boy needs to stay in jr k or pre k. is it because the academic or for the long ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=1#comment_242080 5100.242080 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:44:48 -0700 Kennysmom I know testing isn't always accurrate, but I'll tell you most of my late 4's and early 5's struggled with the whole concept of school when compared with their older ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=1#comment_235913 5100.235913 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:08:47 -0700 Semaj1020 Brettsmom- Thanks for the response. I will definately check that out once he turns 5. I really thought it was a shame when I read the districts website! I also ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=1#comment_235477 5100.235477 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:05:21 -0700 brettsmom Those 4 year olds made the bday cut offs by attending preschools that included a kindergarten or private/parochial elementary schools that have a pre-school or pre-k attached.The private to public ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=1#comment_235380 5100.235380 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:49:13 -0700 brettsmom Kennysmom,Even the readiness tests are biased towards being older. When my son did his readiness tests last year he tested between his then age of 4 and 3 months and ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=2#comment_235359 5100.235359 Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:09:51 -0700 Kennysmom Well the Bday rule is a guideline -- I think it would be better if all kids were asked to take a readiness test, because some kids even though they ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=2#comment_235229 5100.235229 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:58:19 -0700 brettsmom Semaj1202,Hmmm....I would call the school district or your local school directly for clarification on your child's ability to transfer. I think Kennysmom is right, if your son has finished K ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=2#comment_234340 5100.234340 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:01:55 -0700 Semaj1020 I know what you mean. It doesnt make sense. I guess it all starts in Kinder. You cant advance to 1st grade in a public school in Texas unless you ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=2#comment_233929 5100.233929 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:42:17 -0700 Kennysmom I think it depends on the state ..... our state would allow you to start 1st if your child had kinder the previous year ...... regardless of birthdate otherwise your ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=2#comment_233736 5100.233736 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:38:17 -0700 Semaj1020 I think the article is great. I guess I am a little confused because I would expect a private school to be a more strict enviroment thant the public schools. ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=3#comment_233387 5100.233387 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:47:29 -0700 Semaj1020 Unfortunately the answer is No. I live in Houston and I did some research on that because my son turns 5 Oct 20th! He is not eligible for K-5 since ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=3#comment_233374 5100.233374 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:35:56 -0700 Kennysmom You could give it a try you might get away with it, but generally I'd say no. The public school would deny your child's entry based on birtdate. I'd reccommend ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=3#comment_229902 5100.229902 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:51:51 -0700 Momof2inAZ I have a question. Can a child be transferred from private school to a public school. Private school accepts students 5 by October and Public is 5 by September 1st. ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=3#comment_229230 5100.229230 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 20:33:05 -0700 brettsmom Wow...well, that Slate.com article is certainly anti-redshirting. In my son's case, the die was cast last year when we had to make a decision before he turned five and we ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=3#comment_229129 5100.229129 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:09:35 -0700 3boys2pugs Read www.slate.com/id/2196423/. Very interesting article about holding children back. Do some more research on the local public schools and their curriculum, don't take the private school's word. It behooves private ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=4#comment_229015 5100.229015 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:56:02 -0700 Kennysmom This child should be starting kindergarten or first grade -- not PRE-K. I don't get it. My kindergarten student that was retained the year before turned 6 in October of ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=4#comment_227980 5100.227980 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:04:27 -0700 kinderteacher I agree with brettsmom, it sounds a lot like "numbers" game to me. That's unfortunate. I teach in public school so things are very different, we take all kids that ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=4#comment_227841 5100.227841 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:46:12 -0700 brettsmom Dear anonymous, Wow...6 should be old enough. You need to understand exactly why she is recommending this. Was there a behavioral issue that she hasn't discussed. I hate to be ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=4#comment_224609 5100.224609 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:47:29 -0700 tnrnbb Did that teacher give you reasons for her recommendations to have your 6 yr old son in Jr. K? Jr. K is usually for younger children who are not ready ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=4#comment_221399 5100.221399 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:01:23 -0700 tturnier My suggestion is for you to do what you feel is right for your child. The evaluator is going on book sense. Every child is different. Children are like sponges. ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=5#comment_221141 5100.221141 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:15:43 -0700 Momof2inAZ My son has a birthday Sept 17th, in my state you need to be 5 by Sept 1st. He would have to wait a whole yer to attend a public ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=5#comment_221013 5100.221013 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:22:39 -0700 Kennysmom Wow 7! I teach kinder in public school, what is he struggling with???? Why do they want you to keep him in kinder???? http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=5#comment_219498 5100.219498 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:05:12 -0700 Tanya1 My son was in a Christian pre school then same kindergarden school. He started in K at 4 years old his DOB is 11-11-01. I am thankful he went ahead ... http://community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218819/I-need-advice-on-Young-5s-versus-Kindergarten?cpage=5#comment_218868 5100.218868 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:48:49 -0700