The age/grade delineations are new for the 2023 season. There is a caveat that you can change the Division I/II designation, for example, if your age was still 10yo on Jan 1, 2023, even if you are enrolled in 6th grade this fall.

But, as has been mentioned, the NOT 15 on Jan 1, 2023 is still a hard cut-off for FLL Challenge eligibility. And it’s always been FIRST SOP to have a hard upper age-limit, but a soft lower age-limit.

My daughter, for example, could compete Division I under the new rules as a 6th grader who was 10 until May 2023. Since we want a team of 5th-7th graders, though, we’ll go ahead and compete Division II.

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 13, 2023, at 12:03 PM, Rachelle Gantt <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

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My teams final competition was last year and were not affiliated with any school.
All team members were freshman at 3 separate high schools.
At the time of Competition 
3 - 14 years old 
1 - 15 year old
Technically 3 could have competed this year but we were done after 6/7 years. 
Hope this helps

Rachelle Bradley

On Aug 12, 2023, at 9:12 PM, Martin Scherr <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

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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:
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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? 

“ 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:
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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
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