Grade Placement At The Garden School
How old does my child need to be for each program?
The cut-off date for entering our grades programs is May 31st, rather than the September 1 of public schools. Our school uses this earlier cut-off date for grades entrance placement. We feel strongly that early academic instruction is not the key to a love of learning throughout your life.
In a New York Times article From Finland, an Intriguing School-Reform Model, Dr. Pasi Sahlberg of Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture says, “The first six years of education are not about academic success. We don’t measure children at all. It’s about being ready to learn and finding your passion.” Our Joyful Beginnings and Forest Kindergarten programs are play-based, allowing this time for children to develop their love and will for school and learning. Providing an extra year of growth for children with a summer birthday will allow that child to be on level socially and academically with his or her peers in school. Children who have turned 6 by May 31 of their Kindergarten year are considered a rising first grader, and all of our grades placement continues from that, as shown below.
Joyful Beginnings Program: Children are 2 but not yet 4 by the first day of school
Forest Kindergarten: This a multi-age class for children ages 4 - 6. Children are 4 by the first day of school (or by your child’s start date if enrolling mid-year), and are considered to be a rising first grader in the calendar year where they turn 6 before May 31st.
First Grade: Children are 6 years old turning 7 by May 31 of their first grade year
Second Grade: Children are 7 years old turning 8 by May 31 of their second grade year
Third Grade: Children are 8 years old turning 9 by May 31 of their third grade year
Fourth Grade: Children are 9 years old turning 10 by May 31 of their fourth grade year
Fifth Grade: Children are 10 years old turning 11 by May 31 of their fifth grade year
Sixth Grade: Children are 11 years old turning 12 by May 31 of their sixth grade year
Seventh Grade: Children are 12 years old turning 13 by May 31 of their seventh grade year
Eighth Grade: Children are 13 years old turning 14 by May 31 of their eighth grade year