Enrollment Information

Age of Entrance for Beginners in the Public School

The board shall establish age requirements for the admission of beginners which are consistent with statute and sound educational practice and which ensure the equitable treatment of all eligible children.

A. Kindergarten
A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if s/he is five (5) years old on or before October 1. The Superintendent or designee shall require that each student who registers for entrance to school exhibits a birth certificate or similar documentation as proof of age and birthdate, along with proof of required immunizations and residency.

B. Beginners
Beginners are students entering the lowest grade of the elementary school above the kindergarten level who are attending the Bethlehem Area School District for the first time. They shall be admitted to school only during the first two (2) weeks of the annual school term, except that a child who is six years of age may begin school at any time during the school year.

An exception may be made, upon the recommendation of the principal and the approval of the Superintendent, for children of kindergarten age who move into the district before December 31, but after the expiration of the two-week admission period.

Children are eligible for admission to the first grade if they are six (6) years old on or before October 1 of that year or if they have successfully completed a Pennsylvania public school kindergarten program.

C. Open Enrollment

See Open Enrollment Policy

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