Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
1	What is compulsory school age?	Compulsory school ages are from 6–16.	N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25
2	Does the state require children to attend kindergarten?	No. Kindergarten is not compulsory in New Jersey.	Not specified in NJ statute, rules, or regulations.
3	What is the state's kindergarten entrance age?	A student must be 5 years old by October 1 in order to have a statutory right to enrollment where a kindergarten program is offered by a public school.	N.J.S.A. 18A:38-5
4	What age exemptions or waivers exist for kindergarten entrance?	Students under age 5 by October 1 may be admitted at the discretion of the local school board.	N.J.S.A. 18A:38-5
5	What is an Abbott (SDA) school district, and how does it relate to kindergarten?	The Abbott v. Burke decisions by the New Jersey Supreme Court established additional state funding and program requirements for certain high-poverty school districts, now referred to as SDA (School Development Authority) districts. These districts are required to provide high-quality, state-funded preschool programs for eligible 3- and 4-year-old children.	N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-2.1
6	Can I withdraw my 5-year-old child from kindergarten?	Yes. A 5-year-old may be withdrawn from kindergarten because compulsory school attendance in New Jersey begins at age 6. Once a child turns 6, they must attend school.	N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25
7	Does the state require the district to offer kindergarten and if so, full or half day?	Recent state legislation requires districts receiving kindergarten education aid to implement full-day kindergarten by the 2029–2030 school year.	N.J.S.A. 18A:44-2(b)
8	How do I know which public school district my child should be enrolled in?	In New Jersey, children are generally assigned to a public school district based on their home address. Families can determine their assigned district by searching online using their full home address and the word “schools,” or by visiting their local school district website for enrollment information, school locations, and contact details. If internet access is not available, families may contact their local school district or nearby schools for assistance.	N.J.A.C. 6A:22
9	Are there required admission tests for kindergarten?	No, admission tests are not required. Some districts use a screener or assessment to determine children’s learning needs and prepare to meet those needs.	Not specified in NJ statute, rules, or regulations.
10	What is the state’s requirement for the minimum number of days in a school year?	The state requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction in a school year for public schools in New Jersey.	N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9  N.J.A.C. 6A:32
11	What are the state’s requirements for the start/or finish date of the school year?	New Jersey does not mandate specific start or end dates for the school year. Each local board of education determines its own school calendar, provided that the district meets the state requirement of at least 180 days of instruction.	N.J.S.A. 18A:36-2  N.J.A.C. 6A:32
12	What counts as full-day attendance kindergarten?	One continuous session of two and one-half hours may be considered a full day in kindergarten.	N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.3
13	Does absenteeism count in kindergarten?	Yes. Attendance is recorded for all enrolled students, including kindergarten. New Jersey requires school districts to track student attendance from preschool through grade 12 under state attendance regulations. Chronic absenteeism is defined in state and federal reporting guidance as missing 10% or more of enrolled school days, though this threshold is used for monitoring rather than as a strict statutory definition.	N.J.A.C. 6A:32-8.4(a) District guidance can be found in Student Attendance.
14	Can I choose which kindergarten my child attends?	Parents may enroll their child in any private kindergarten program that accepts them. For public schools, a child generally attends the school district in which they reside, based on New Jersey residency requirements. Charter schools are public schools of choice and may be available to students depending on enrollment eligibility and lottery processes.	N.J.A.C. 6A:22
15	What if my district does not offer kindergarten?	Parents may enroll their child in any private kindergarten program that accepts them. For public schools, a child generally attends the school district in which they reside, based on New Jersey residency requirements. Charter schools are public schools of choice and may be available to students depending on enrollment eligibility and lottery processes. Recent state legislation requires districts receiving kindergarten education aid to implement full-day kindergarten by the 2029-2030 school year.	N.J.A.C. 6A:22  N.J.S.A. 18A:44-2(b)
16	If my 4-year-old child attends private kindergarten, can I enroll them in first grade at my local public school the following year?	A child who attends private kindergarten may be considered for first-grade enrollment in a public school, but placement is determined by the local school district based on age requirements, completion of kindergarten or equivalent readiness, and district policies. New Jersey law sets age eligibility for kindergarten entry (turning 5 by October 1), but first grade placement decisions are made by districts in accordance with state attendance and enrollment regulations.	This is a district decision.
17	Are there immunization requirements for school entry?	Yes. New Jersey requires students entering school to be immunized against certain diseases, including DTaP, Polio (IPV), MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B, with additional requirements depending on grade level. These requirements are established under state immunization regulations. School Immunization Requirements	N.J.A.C. 8:57-4
18	What if I do not want my child to receive vaccinations?	Parents may request a medical exemption from school immunization requirements if a physician certifies that a vaccine is medically contraindicated. Students who do not meet immunization requirements without an approved exemption may be excluded from school.	N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.3 N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.4
19	What are the required medical screenings?	Students are required to receive health screenings in school, which may include medical history review, vision and hearing screenings, height and weight measurements, blood pressure checks, and physical examinations as required for certain grades and activities. These screenings are conducted as part of the district’s student health services program.	N.J.A.C. 6A:16
20	Is recess a requirement?	New Jersey requires public school districts to provide a daily recess period of at least 20 minutes for students in kindergarten through grade 5.	N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.31
21	Will my child need to bring a snack or lunch for full-day kindergarten? What about half-day kindergarten?	Whether students bring snacks or lunch on a full day or half-day is determined by the local school district. New Jersey does not require districts to provide or regulate snacks or meals for kindergarten programs in statute or administrative code. Meal assistance programs such as free or reduced-price lunches are available through federal and state-administered programs based on income eligibility. Visit School Nutrition Programs for more information.	Not specified in NJ statute, rules, or regulations. District policy.

Assessment, Intervention and Retention

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
22	Are state assessments required in grades K–3?	Statewide standardized assessments in New Jersey begin in grade 3 and include English Language Arts and Mathematics. There are no statewide standardized assessment requirements for grades K–2.	N.J.A.C. 6A:8-4.1
23	Beyond the federal and state-required third grade assessments, what other assessments are required in grades K–3?	In addition to the required grade 3 statewide assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics, New Jersey requires universal early literacy screening for students in grades K–3 under state law. For Preschool Education Aid (PEA) districts, a kindergarten entry assessment (KEA) is required.	N.J.S.A. 18A:6-146 N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-6.1
24	What do the results of third-grade assessments inform?	Results of third-grade statewide assessments inform student achievement in meeting the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. They are used to identify student learning needs, guide instructional planning, and support interventions at the student, school, and district levels. Assessment results are also reported to the state for accountability and school performance reporting purposes.	N.J.A.C. 6A:8
25	If my child needs additional support, are there interventions available beginning in kindergarten?	Yes. District boards of education are required to establish and implement a system of Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS). This system is based upon NJ Tiered System of Supports and designed to assist students who are experiencing learning, behavior, or health difficulties, as well as to support staff in addressing those needs. These supports are available beginning in kindergarten.	N.J.A.C. 6A:16-8.1
26	How can I request an evaluation and access services if my child may have special learning needs?	Parents/guardians may contact their child’s school or school district to get more information from the Child Study Team. The Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE) document provides important information regarding the evaluation process, available services, and the rights of parents/guardians in supporting their child.	N.J.A.C. 6A:14
27	My child just arrived from another country and does not speak English. What services are available if my child does not speak English?	School districts in New Jersey are required to provide services to support Multilingual Learners (MLs) in developing English proficiency while accessing academic content. These services may include bilingual education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, or other language assistance programs. The New Jersey Department of Education works with districts to ensure that Multilingual Learners and immigrant students are provided equitable educational opportunities in compliance with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact their local school district for additional information regarding available programs and services. See Guidance for Families on the NJDOE website.	N.J.A.C. 6A:15
28	Can kindergarten students be suspended or expelled from school?	Students in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be subject to out-of-school suspension or expulsion except in limited circumstances permitted by law. Districts must consider alternative interventions and supports before exclusionary discipline is used for students in these grade levels.	N.J.S.A. 18A:37-2a
29	Can districts retain kindergarten students?	Retention decisions are made at the local school district level in accordance with district policy on student promotion and retention.	N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.9
30	Is parent engagement in retention decisions required?	Districts are required to establish a policy on student promotion and retention that includes procedures for notifying parents/guardians of retention decisions. Parents/guardians must be informed and are provided with an opportunity to discuss or appeal the decision in accordance with district policy.	N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.9
31	Is there a third-grade retention policy?	Student promotion and retention policies are established at the local school district level. Districts are required to adopt and implement policies governing promotion and retention decisions for all grade levels, including third grade.	N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.9

Curriculum

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
32	What subjects are taught in kindergarten?	Kindergarten instruction is guided by the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and includes English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, World Languages, Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills, Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, and Computer Science and Design Thinking.	N.J.A.C. 6A:8
33	If I believe my child is gifted, can my child skip kindergarten and go directly to first grade?	Decisions about grade acceleration, including skipping kindergarten, are made at the local school district level in accordance with district policies. These decisions are typically based on multiple factors, including academic readiness, social-emotional development, and assessment results. Parents/guardians should contact their local school district to discuss evaluation and placement options.	N.J.S.A. 18A:4-15 N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34

Family Engagement

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
34	Is family engagement required as part of a student’s transition from preschool to kindergarten?	Yes. Family engagement is included as a requirement for student transition plans. PEA district boards of education shall include preschool through grade 3 (P–3) transition programs in their preschool program plan.	N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-6.1

Health

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
35	How do I learn more about School Health Services?	The New Jersey Department of Education provides information on school health services through its Keeping Our Students Safe, Healthy & In School resources, which include guidance on student health, safety, and related school-based services.	Keeping Our Students Safe, Healthy & In School

Safety

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
36	How will I know if my child is safe at school?	The NJDOE takes proactive measures to protect all our students and staff members. Through the Department's School Preparedness & Emergency Planning (OSPEP) the goal is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the school population by providing direct support to New Jersey's schools establishing safe and secure school environments and increasing their capacity to respond in the event of crises. All schools are required to have a safety plan. Contact the school directly with questions about its safety plan or to request a copy of it.	N.J.A.C. 6A:16-5.1

School Readiness and Transitions

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
37	Are kindergarten readiness or entrance assessments required for all children?	No. New Jersey does not require a statewide kindergarten entrance or readiness assessment for all children. However, school districts may choose to use local screening or assessment tools to support student placement and instructional planning.	Not specified in NJ statute, rules, or regulations.
38	Are there policies in place to guide the preschool to kindergarten transition process?	Yes. District boards of education that operate a state-funded preschool program are required to include transition initiatives from (P–3) in their preschool program plans to support continuity of learning and successful transitions.	N.J.A.C. 6A:13A-6.1
39	Does the state have a statutory definition of school readiness?	No. A definition of student readiness is not listed in NJ statute.	Not specified in NJ statute, rules, or regulations.

Social-Emotional Learning

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
40	What is social and emotional development?	Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.	NJDOE Social and Emotional Learning
41	Where is social-emotional development emphasized in statute?	Social-emotional development is included in the teacher professional development standards.	N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.3

Teacher

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
42	What is the teacher-to-student ratio requirements for kindergarten?	1:25; however, in former Abbott Districts the ratio in K–3 is one teacher and one aide for every 21 children.	N.J.A.C. 6A:32-12.1(b) N.J.A.C. 6A:13-3.1 N.J.A.C. 6A:13-3.2
43	Is an aide required for every kindergarten classroom?	In districts where 40% or more of students are identified as “at-risk,” full-day kindergarten classrooms must include a teacher’s aide, and class size may not exceed 21 students.	N.J.A.C. 6A:13-3.2

Transportation

Number	Question	Answer	New Jersey Statute or Administrative Code
44	Are kindergarten students eligible for transportation?	All public elementary school students (grades K–8) who live more than two miles from their school are entitled to transportation.	N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1