The criteria for FLL eligibility are different from the divisional rules.
In the U.S. and Canada, FLL participants must not be younger than 9 years
old or older than 14 as of January 1 of the year the Challenge is released
- not based on grade at all.

Someone who was 15 years old on January 1, 2023 would not be eligible to
compete regardless of their grade. A 13 year old currently in 9th grade
would be eligible to compete in FLL (in division 2 in VA+DC FLL).

(I think that exceptions are at least theoretically possible, but I don't
know what VA+DC's policy is on that or if they're ever given.)


On Sat, Aug 12, 2023 at 8:53 PM Bryanne Peterson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links
> or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
> safe.
> ------------------------------
> Hi,
> Can I get clarity on this age question/response? Based on what’s posted on
> the website, it looks like it’s now grade based not age based, so I want
> to make sure I understand correctly. As it reads now, I think a 15 year old
> can compete in FLL challenge on a division 2 team if in grade 8, but if a
> 13 year old is accelerated and in 9th grade they have to move to ftc or
> frc, is that right?
> Per site (
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://va-dcfll.org/fll-c/teams/div-system/__;!!N6YHze6lT7thMl0!LxSDqsHEDpzuSMOP8YgdA6cUKsmStIVfaCtfEJt8avNRDGiz31SZErk61zJPqX9z6Wn5WLQ6cD9Wz-VfCANBl2QoQUxtSosn$ 
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://va-dcfll.org/fll-c/teams/div-system/__;!!N6YHze6lT7thMl0!MtnoVRUYOmCG5rjiGWNs2j2gfpGUpySrk2pxaJE45jRfhI_zRu3QJgDWvlJE47kimqbyCcJI9lD_lfO8lHXGpOEDBA$>
> )
>
> “ The criteria for age divisions in VA+DC *FIRST*® LEGO® League was
> updated during the 2023-2024 season. Now, the criteria is primarily
> grade-based.
>
>    - If all students are Grade 5 and under: Division 1
>    - If any student is Grade 6 or over: Division 2”
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 10:59 AM [log in to unmask] <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> *CAUTION: *This email originated from outside of JMU. Do not click links
>> or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
>> safe.
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Just to clarify, a team member can participate if they have not turned 15
>> before December 1?
>>
>> I've got one turning 14 this month and chewing nails worrying that she
>> can't participate. I told her she was good, but that I would verify.
>>
>> Many thanks,
>>
>> Coach Kelly
>>
>> FLL11610
>>
>> *aka*
>>
>>
>>
>> Kelly McBride Delph (she/her), Library Director
>> Russell County Public Library
>>
>> Lebanon VA 24266
>> 276-889-8044
>>
>>
>>
>> *All Together Now*
>>
>> Summer Reading Fun for Everyone!
>>
>>
>>
>> A good library has something to affirm everyone.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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> --
>
>
>
> *Bryanne Peterson, Ph.D.*
> *Broader Impacts, STEM Education, and CTE Scholar*
> pronouns: she/her or they/their
> | [log in to unmask]
> ------------------------------
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