Maryland Exemption Request Form

RESOURCE

Maryland Letter Requesting that a 5-year-old be Exempted from Compulsory Attendance for One Year

A family may exempt their 5-year-old child from mandatory school attendance for 1 year if the child’s parent or guardian believes that a delay in school attendance is in the best interest of the child. The parent or guardian must file a written request with the local superintendent of schools asking that the child’s attendance be delayed due to the child’s level of maturity. The written request must be filed before the first day of school in the year which the child becomes 5 years old. The regulations require that “the local school system shall approve the request for delay or withdrawal [from Kindergarten] in writing within 5 working days from the date of receipt.”