# JGAA - Assignments of Students to Classes - Five Year Olds

**JGAA - Assignments of Students to Classes - Five Year Olds**

Maine law permits children who are at least four years old on October 15<span class="s1">th </span>of the school year to enroll in school for Pre-Kindergarten and five years old on October 15<span class="s1">th </span>of the school year to enroll in school for Kindergarten.

However, it is recognized that exceptions to this initial placement may be justified under limited circumstances. In such rare cases, enrolling five-year-old students may be placed in first grade at the discretion of school officials in accordance with the following: <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

A. Social and emotional maturity should have been demonstrated such as to predict success in grade one;

B. The decision of placement lies with the Principal, appealable to the Superintendent, whose decision shall be final; <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

C. The right must be reserved to the school to administer testing as appropriate to making a proper determination of placement;

D. Any such placement is to be conditioned upon demonstrated success and reviewed at appropriate intervals; <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

E. A student who was enrolled in a public or private Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten and is promoted to first grade may enroll in first grade; and

F. All exceptional placements are to be reported to the Superintendent. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>

The Superintendent shall promulgate regulations/procedures to implement this policy.

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 5201

Cross Reference: IKE - Promotion, Retention and Acceleration of Students

JFAA and JFAA-R1 - Admission of Resident Students and Procedure

JFAB – Admission of Non-Resident Students<span class="s2">   
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Policy Adopted: August 19, 1987

Policy Revised: September 18, 1996, December 3, 2003, March 5, 2014 (Replaced JEB-Entrance Age), <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>November 14, 2018