Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Flexibility Act of 2026

This bill allows parents in the District of Columbia more flexibility regarding when their children must start school and which grade they can enroll in. It permits minors born between June 16 and September 30 to defer kindergarten enrollment for one year if they remain enrolled in a licensed childcare program or a pre-kindergarten class. Additionally, the legislation expands enrollment options for children born during this period, enabling them to apply for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, or kindergarten depending on their specific age at the start of the school year. To support these changes, the District must update its public school lottery application process to accommodate these new enrollment categories.