Defer grade 1 entry by 1 year
We’re in GTA area. My son was born extremely prematurely at 27 weeks. His due date was in March 2025, but he was born in December 2024. Under Ontario’s age-based grade placement system, he would therefore be placed in Grade 1 with children born in 2024.
I was wondering whether it would be possible to appeal this placement and request that he join the Grade 1 cohort of children born in 2025 instead.
My concern is that, due to his extreme prematurity, he could potentially be significantly younger developmentally than many of the children in the 2024 cohort. At this age, even a difference of several months can make a meaningful difference in development, maturity, physical size, and overall readiness for school.
I’m concerned that placing him with the 2024 cohort could create unnecessary challenges for him early in his education. I would therefore like to understand whether there is any flexibility or an appeal process for children who were born significantly prematurely, and whether his corrected age and developmental history could be taken into consideration when determining his Grade 1 placement.