Based upon past experience, the Board believes that it is in only the most extraordinary and exceptional case that early admission to school is appropriate or a benefit to the child admitted early. The Board recognizes, however, that children do develop at different rates, making early admission into school appropriate for some children. Consequently, a parent/guardian may request early admission to kindergarten or first grade by following the procedures and guidelines listed below:
1. Application for early admission should be made in writing to the appropriate Elementary Principal no later than April 15. Applications filed after this date require Superintendent approval. The April 15 requirement may be waived for persons new to the district; however, no early admissions shall be made after the third Friday in September. Application forms are available at the elementary school offices.
2. A personal interview will be held with the Principal to determine the reason(s) the parent/guardian is requesting enrollment of his/her child prior to legal age and to review the School Board policy and guidelines covering the early admission procedures.
3. Based on the outcome of the interview between the Principal and parent(s), an evaluation of the child's potential for success in, and ability to cope with, the school environment shall be initiated by the School Psychologist. The preliminary individual evaluation shall be conducted by a district School Psychologist. The child should generally demonstrate superior intellectual development (IQ score in the range of 110 or above), superior language, speech, and math skills. The School Psychologist and Principal will discuss the results of the initial assessment done by the Psychologist. If further assessment data is needed, the Principal may also ask the kindergarten teacher to administer a secondary screen/test the child for early kindergarten readiness skills, as well as advanced physical, social, and emotional maturity. This evaluation will be at no cost to the parent/guardian.
4. After the evaluation(s) has been completed, the Psychologist and kindergarten teacher will convene a conference with the parent/guardian and the appropriate Building Principal. At this conference, the psychologist and, when appropriate, the kindergarten teacher will share their assessment results and make a placement recommendation. Possible alternatives for students who are not recommended for early admission will be given. A written communication of the conference, along with the recommendations, will be sent by the Building Principal to the parent/guardian within one week of the conference. A copy will also be given to the Director of Special Services, to be kept on file in the Special Services Office.
5. A child accepted for early admission must meet all other conditions for enrollment in the school district (e.g., immunization requirements, residency requirements, etc.)
6. If early admission is granted, the placement will be reviewed within six weeks of the placement to see if it is appropriate for the child. The child's parent(s)/guardian, classroom teacher and Building Principal will be involved in the review. If placement is found to be inappropriate at that time, the placement may be modified or denied.
7. Appeal Procedure: The decision of the evaluation team not to recommend early admission may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools no later than June 15. A decision of the evaluation team to terminate a conditional placement also may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools. The disposition of the appeal by the Superintendent may be appealed to the School Board no later than the Regular July Board Meeting who has final authority for the early admission decision.
APPROVED: March 11, 1982
REVISED: June 8, 1989
APPROVED: July 13, 1989
REVISED: July 8, 1993
APPROVED: August 12, 1993
REVISED: February 24, 1997
APPROVED: March 31, 1997
REVISED: February 8, 2007
APPROVED: March 22, 2007
03/30/2007 pw