Enrollment and Attendance

Enrolling a child in an Arkansas public school is addressed in Arkansas law and in the State Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools.

New Enrollment Age for Kindergarten Students

Act 462 of the Regular Session of the 86th Arkansas General Assembly (2007) changed the age of enrollment for kindergarten students entering public schools.

For the 2009-2010 school year, students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of Arkansas if the student will attain the age of five (5) years on or before September 1, 2009; for the 2010-2011 school year, students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of Arkansas if the student will attain the age of five (5) years on or before August 15, 2010; and for the 2011-2012 school year and afterwards, students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of Arkansas if the student will attain the age of five (5) years on or before August 1 of the year the student is seeking initial enrollment.

For questions on the new kindergarten enrollment age, e-mail Dee Cox.

The Standards include the following statement on initial enrollment: “A birth certificate, Social Security Number, or other documentation, as provided by law, shall be required to enroll in school.”

Parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their local school district superintendent’s office for specific information concerning required enrollment documents.