Kindergarten is Mandatory
In Tennessee, children are required by law to attend kindergarten, and no child will be eligible to enter first grade without having first attended an approved kindergarten program. While children do not have to enroll at 5 years of age, enrollment must occur before the child’s 6th birthday. In addition, all school districts must offer kindergarten programs to their residents. Current Age Requirements
To be eligible for kindergarten, students must have turned 5 on or before August 15 of that school year. Required Immunizations and Available Exemptions
In order to attend school in Tennessee, students must have proof of all required immunizations (or a valid exemption as discussed below). Required immunizations include DTaP, polio, MMR, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and varicella. See the list of required vaccinations here. Tennessee allows for students to be exempted from required immunizations based on medical and religious reasons. Medical exemptions must be signed by a physician or public health nurse indicating that the vaccine(s) are contraindicated. Religious exemptions require a signed statement by the parent or guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. Maximum Teacher to Pupil Ratio
In Tennessee, kindergarten class sizes are limited to a school average of 1 teacher to 20 students in grades K-3, with no class greater than 25 students. |
Kindergarten RegistrationWhat You Will Need to Register:
TN State picture ID with current address 2. A current utility bill for the listed address 3. Another form of mail for the listed address
All necessary forms can be completed at the school when registering, or picked up and returned to the school after they are completed.For more information about kindergarten registration, please call your zoned school or the Lincoln County Department of Education at 931-433-3565. If you are unsure of your zoned school, contact the Lincoln County Transportation Department at 931-433-5733.
Tennessee State Standards
The Tennessee Academic Standards provide a common set of expectations for what students will know and be able to do at the end of a grade for each subject area. Learn More |