What does the mandatory kindergarten attendance law require?
The mandatory kindergarten attendance law requires a child who resides in Maryland to attend a public or nonpublic kindergarten program regularly during the school year before entering the first grade unless the child is enrolled in an alternative program or is receiving home instruction as specified in question #4 of this fact sheet. 2. Does the change in the age of eligibility for enrollment in kindergarten affect the admissions criteria of a nonpublic school? Yes. The change in the age of eligibility for enrollment in kindergarten affects nonpublic schools as follows: • Nonpublic schools that are approved under COMAR 13A.09.10 to receive public pay students are required to adopt the age of eligibility dates shown on the attached “Chart Reflecting Local School Phase-in of Age of Eligibility for Enrollment in Public School Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade.” • Until the 2006-2007 school year, nonpublic schools that hold a Certificate of Approval under COMAR 13A.09.09 and
