Q. At what age are children required to enter school?
A. In Kentucky all children must be enrolled in school between the ages of six and 16. Children can enter primary school at age five, but only if their fifth birthday is on or before October 1 of the current school year. So a four-year-old who will turn five by October 1 can enroll. Preschool programs are available for certain three- and four-year-old children as well. More information about preschool.
Q. What documentation do I need to provide when registering my child in school?
A. Prior to school attendance, each child shall have on file:
· A legal birth certificate
· A Kentucky certificate of immunization
· Proof of a preventative health care examination conducted within one (1) year prior to initial entry into the school program and another preventative health care examination within one (1) prior to entry into the sixth (6th) grade.
· Proof of an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This shall be documented on the Kentucky Eye Examination Form for School Entry.
Q. What immunizations are required?
A. All children are required to be immunized by schedule for DT, DTP or DtaP; OPV or IPV; Hep B; Hib; MMR; Td; and varicella.
It is the responsibility of the parent to abide by all state regulations of the Immunization Program for attendance at day care centers, certified family child care homes, other licensed facilities which care for children, preschool programs, and public and private primary and secondary schools. To download the required schedule for immunizations, visit http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/902/002/060.htm. We suggest that you print this regulation for your doctor or health care provider.
Q. How do I prove my child was immunized?
A. A current immunization certificate shall be on file at the school within two weeks of the child's enrollment.
Q. Is an eye exam required?
A. All children between the ages of three (3) through six (6) entering public preschool, Head Start or public school for the first time must have an eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist no later than January 1 of the school year.
See also: School Eye Exam: Questions and Answers
Q. What are the requirements regarding the preventative health care examination?
A. Each child needs a preventative health care examination within one year prior to the child's initial admission to school. A second examination is required within one year prior to entry into the sixth grade or initial admission to school. A third examination may be required by policy of the local board of education within one year prior to entry into the ninth grade or initial admission to school. A cumulative health record is maintained by the school for each pupil entering school. The record shall be maintained throughout the pupil's attendance. The record shall include the preventative health care examination and screening tests related to growth and development, vision, hearing, and scoliosis, and findings and recommendations of a physician and a dentist.
Students who transfer from out-of-state also must provide documentation of a preventative health care examination, which shall be on the Preventative Health Care Examination form dated December 1999.
Q. Where can I get copies of the required health forms?
A. The forms are available for download from this Web site.
Q. At what age, and using what criteria, are children eligible for the preschool program?
A. Preschool programs are available to four-year-old children who are "at risk," meaning they are eligible for the federal Free Lunch Program. Preschool is also available for three- and four-year-old children with disabilities. Enrollment of a child in the preschool program is at the discretion of the parent or legal guardian. For more information about the preschool offerings in your district, or to see if your child is eligible, it is best to contact your local school district directly.
Q. What are the requirements for home schooling?
A. If you want to home school your child, you must notify the local superintendent of schools, in writing, that you have established a home school. You must report the names, ages and place of residence of each child being home schooled. In addition, you must keep a legal birth certificate, Kentucky certificate of immunization, and a copy of a medical examination on file for each child who is home schooled. By law, all home schools are to keep attendance records and a portfolio containing samples of each student's best work. This record may be used to document the existence of the home school or if the child transfers to a different educational setting. A record of courses taken and grades received is also required. The school term in Kentucky is 185 days (175 instruction and 10 non-instructional) with six-hour instructional days. A director of pupil personnel from the local school district periodically may visit a home school to ensure that quality instruction requirements are being met. Home-schooled students may participate in public school extracurricular activities at local school district discretion. For more information, contact your local school district. For more information about home schooling in Kentucky, please contact Laura Graham at 502-564-3791, or by e-mail (laura.graham@education.ky.gov).
Q. What do I need to know about non-public schools in Kentucky?
A. Kentucky has numerous high quality non-public schools, each of which determines its own curriculum and extra-curricular offerings. Although non-public schools are not required to be accredited or certified to be considered legal schools, their oversight is the responsibility of each local school district. The Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission, a non-profit organization that represents the non-public school community, offers advice and assistance to non-public schools and parents seeking non-public schools. You can reach the commission at (502) 287-8332.