Four-and five-year-old kindergartners will once again begin school on a staggered start schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.
Under Act 114 of 2024, Kershaw County School District is implementing an innovative approach to helping students adjust to difficult transition years with a 2025-2026 school calendar that provides a staggered start for four- and five-year-old kindergarten students.
This staggered start schedule for the first week of school will allow students to experience a smooth transition and allow staff members time to build strong relationships with students and parents in support of continued academic and social emotional growth.
These adjustments will help new students to elementary school reduce anxiety, build community, and start their formal education in Kershaw County School District in a smaller educational setting with more individualized attention. This time will allow teachers an opportunity to get to know students better and understand their personal strengths and needs through individual assessments, such as the state-mandated DIAL-4 and Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA).
All KCSD four- and five-year-old kindergarten students will participate in a staggered entry process for the 2025-2026 school year and will attend school using the following schedule:
Monday, August 4: Last names beginning with A–L attend school
Tuesday, August 5: Last names beginning with M–Z attend school
Wednesday, August 6: All four- and five-year-old kindergarten students attend school.
All 4K and 5K students will fully begin the school year and attend school daily on Wednesday, August 6.
Please note: This staggered start schedule does not apply to students in preschool special education programs at the following locations: Blaney Elementary, Doby’s Mill Elementary, Jackson School, Midway Elementary, Pine Tree Hill Elementary and Wateree Elementary. These students will begin school on Monday, August 4.