§ 115C-364. Admission requirements.
SUBCHAPTER VI. STUDENTS.
Article 25.
Admission and Assignmentof Students.
§ 115C‑364. Admissionrequirements.
(a) A child who ispresented for enrollment at any time during the first 120 days of a school yearis entitled to initial entry into the public schools if:
(1) The child reaches orreached the age of 5 on or before August 31 of that school year; or
(2) The child did notreach the age of 5 on or before August 31 of that school year, but has beenattending school during that school year in another state in accordance withthe laws or rules of that state before the child moved to and became a residentof North Carolina.
(b) A local board mayallow a child who is presented for enrollment at any time after the first 120days of a school year to be eligible for initial entry into the public schoolsif:
(1) The child reachedthe age of 5 on or before August 31 of that school year; or
(2) The child did notreach the age of 5 on or before August 31 of that school year, but has beenattending school during that school year in another state in accordance withthe laws or rules of that state before the child moved to and became a residentof North Carolina.
(c) The initial pointof entry into the public school system shall be at the kindergarten level. Ifthe principal of a school finds as fact subsequent to initial entry that achild, by reason of maturity can be more appropriately served in the firstgrade rather than in kindergarten, the principal may act under G.S. 115C‑288to implement this educational decision without regard to chronological age. Theprincipal of any public school may require the parent or guardian of any childpresented for admission for the first time to that school to furnish acertified copy of the child's birth certificate, which shall be furnished bythe register of deeds of the county having on file the record of the birth ofthe child, or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth.
(d) A child who haspassed the fourth anniversary of the child's birth on or before April 16 mayenter kindergarten if the child is presented for enrollment no later than theend of the first month of the school year and if the principal of the schoolfinds, based on information submitted by the child's parent or guardian, thatthe child is gifted and that the child has the maturity to justify admission tothe school. The State Board of Education shall establish guidelines for theprincipal to use in making this finding. (1955, c. 1372, art. 19, s. 2; 1969, c. 1213, s. 4;1973, c. 603, s. 3; 1981, c. 423, s. 1; 1983, c. 656, s. 1; 1997‑204, s.1; 1997‑269, s. 1; 2007‑173, s. 1.)