Ohio Kindergarten Cutoff Change Sparks Uncertainty for CMSD Families
Cleveland families face uncertainty about kindergarten enrollment next fall after a new state law standardized the cutoff date for public school entry. Students must now be five years old by the first day of school to start kindergarten, a shift from the previous cutoff dates of August 1 or September 30.
For the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), this change comes as the district has not yet finalized the start date for the 2026–2027 school year. CMSD CEO Warren Morgan presented a draft calendar in December proposing August 28 as the first day for kindergarteners and August 24 for other students. The school board must approve the calendar, a process that takes at least 30 days to allow for community feedback.
Families with birthdays in August and September may be affected, as they cannot be certain their child will meet the new age requirement until the start date is confirmed. CMSD opened its online portal for school selection on January 5, which will remain open through February 27. District officials advise families to select schools now if they expect their child will be five by the first day of school, while noting that changes to the proposed calendar could affect eligibility.
The state law change is expected to reduce kindergarten enrollment statewide by around 5,000 students and lower state education spending by nearly $50 million, as funding is calculated on a per-student basis.
The shift comes alongside a reduction in CMSD’s pre-K program. The district plans to offer 1,742 pre-K seats next year, down from 2,214 this year. Some of the remaining seats may be reserved for students with special education needs, potentially reducing general education preschool availability by about 700 seats.
The Cleveland Teachers Union and other observers have expressed concern that the combination of fewer pre-K seats and stricter kindergarten requirements could leave families without options for early education. District leaders say they are prepared to adjust pre-K capacity if demand exceeds projections.
CMSD spokesperson Jon Benedict emphasized that families should make school selections through the portal even amid uncertainty. “When in doubt, families should make a choice in the portal,” he said, noting that the district will work to accommodate shifts in enrollment as necessary.
The calendar approval process is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, at which point families will have a clearer picture of kindergarten eligibility and available pre-K options for the next school year.
