Kindergarten Requirements for the State of West Virginia
In 2012, West Virginia received national accolades from the independent nonprofit organization the Children’s Defense Fund for offering free full-day kindergarten to its residents. In addition, kindergarten students in the state benefit from a progressive state law that requires universal preschool for the state’s 4 year olds. Here are the top laws and requirements in place for students entering kindergarten in the state of West Virginia.
Kindergarten Mandatory
In West Virginia, kindergarten attendance is mandatory and each student must have completed either a state-approved or Montessori kindergarten program prior to entry into 1st grade. According to statute, parents may opt out only due to “extraordinary circumstances” and that child would need to pass a readiness test to enter 1st grade the following year.
Full-Day Kindergarten Required
According to West Virginia law, school districts must offer full-day kindergarten. Schools must offer full day programs at a minimum of 5.25 hours per day for 180 days a year, which amounts to around 945 hours per year. According to an Education Week study published in 2015, between 80 and 89 percent of West Virginia’s kindergarten students were enrolled in full-day programs.
Educational Standards: Common Core
The West Virginia Board of Education adopted Common Core standards in in June 2010, with full implementation occurring in the 2014–2015 school year. Following approval, the Common Core standards were aligned with the previously established West Virginia 21st Century Curriculum Standards and Objectives.
Current Age Requirements
To enter kindergarten in the state of West Virginia, a child must have turned 5 years of age by September 1 of that school year. Compulsory school age in West Virginia is age 6; however, if a student enrolls in school prior to the age of 6, then he or she is subject to the state’s compulsory attendance laws.
Early Entry Rules
In West Virginia, early kindergarten entrance (for children under the age of 5) is left to the discretion of school boards as long as the child has demonstrated sufficient mental and physical proficiency.
Required Immunizations and Available Exemptions
In order to attend school in West Virginia, students must have proof of all required immunizations (or a valid exemption as discussed below). Required immunizations include DTaP, polio, MMR, hepatitis B, and varicella. See the list of require vaccinations here.
The only exemption permitted in West Virginia is the medical exemption. The request for exemption must be submitted from a physician and needs to state specifically which vaccines the child needs to be exempted from, an explanation of the medical contraindication, and whether the reason is permanent or temporary. Children with a temporary medical exemption for any required immunization will need to have the Temporary Medical Exemption section completed by the physician on the back of the certificate of immunization, which should include the date when the exemption is expected to be lifted.
Pre-Entrance Testing/Screening Requirements
In the state of West Virginia, there are no kindergarten entrance assessments specified in statute. However, upon parental request, school boards must provide developmental screening for children who are under the compulsory school entrance age.
Maximum Teacher to Pupil Ratio
In West Virginia, the maximum teacher to student ratio is set at 1 teacher to 20 students.
Early Learning Standards
In West Virginia, an early learning standards framework has been adopted that establishes standards for preschool-aged children covering 3 core subjects (language and literacy, mathematics, and science), as well as physical health and development, social and emotional development, and the arts.
All of these laws and requirements are reviewed in great detail on the state of West Virginia’s Department of Education website.