Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade

Early entrance provides students with highly advanced skills the opportunity to begin Kindergarten or First Grade early (i.e., before they typically would be based on their age).  The procedures for early entrance are as follows:

• Parent requests submitted to the Teaching and Learning Department for consideration of early entrance to Kindergarten or Grade 1 must occur between May 1 and June 30 of the prior school year.

• The school district will confirm requests for consideration and notify the parents or guardians outlining the procedures for evaluation.

• Students will meet with a member of the Teaching and Learning Department to take the NWEA MAP assessment in Reading and Math. 

• Students who do not score at or above the 95th percentile will not be considered for early entrance to Kindergarten. 

• Students who score at or above the 95th percentile (using local norms) on both assessments will meet with a social worker for an in-person screening. Parents will complete an interview with a social worker or other member of the team to complete the ASQ:SE2.

• A Kindergarten teacher will meet with the student to gather information about the degree to which the child’s development indicates they are prepared for Kindergarten.

• If the student has previously attended the district’s ELDC, staff at the ELDC will provide input or information regarding the students’ academic and social readiness for Kindergarten.

• After the screening and testing, parents will be invited to a feedback conference.  Members of the early entrance team and the principal will provide information regarding the child’s performance during the screening, review the test results, and give parents a written summary of the screening.

• The decision about early entrance eligibility will be made by the early entrance team.