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Kindergarten

• Fairfax's Philosophy on Education
• Enrollment Requirements
• Orientation Dates
• Curriculum
• Success In Kindergarten Books
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Fairfax's Philosophy on Education

Fairfax County believes that the kindergarten program should provide an education, which is adaptable to each child's needs, interests, and level of development. Children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth are enhanced through a variety of activities that meet individual and group needs. The kindergarten program:

• Focuses on oral language development as the basis for writing, reading, and thinking.

• Builds on, improves, and increases the knowledge skills that children bring to school.

• Promotes an appreciation of the similarities and differences among people.

• Incorporates active learning through body movement activities, manipulation of learning materials, and interaction with others.

• Uses ongoing performance assessment to observe, document, and analyze children's learning behavior in the areas of language arts, math/science, and fine and gross motor skills.

• Encourages a love of learning.

Children learn, grow, and develop at different rates. Differences can be observed in children of the same age who may vary in their ability to perform certain physical, social, or intellectual tasks. The Fairfax County Public Schools' early childhood curriculum takes into consideration these differences in young children. Through individualization of the instruction , all students will progress at their own rates of development. Each student is given the opportunity to experience success, and build a positive self-concept.

In the elementary years, a sound foundation in speaking, writing, reading, and mathematics prepares students for academic success in later years. Wherever possible, concrete objects and manipulative introduce concepts to students. Activities that include learning experiences using real objects help students to understand concepts and ideas prior to the introduction of abstract symbols.

Enrollment Requirements

General Registration Requirements for all Fairfax County Public Schools students

Entrance Age

A child may enter kindergarten if he/she has reached age 5 on or before September 30 of the year he or she enters.

Required Enrollment

Virginia law, Sections 22.1-254, requires that children who will reach their fifth birthday on or before September 30, 2011, must be enrolled in Kindergarten for the 2011-2012 school year unless the parent or guardian notifies the school in writing that they do not wish the child to attend kindergarten until the 2012-2013 school year.

Orientation Dates

• Please note that most kindergarten orientations are usually scheduled between mid-March and the end of June.
• Check the school's web page or contact the school for any specific information about Kindergarten.