Kindergarten Enrollment

• Children will be considered for early entrance if their fifth birthday falls between September 2 & October 31.
• Children must demonstrate above average academic skills, similar to a current kindergarten student in the eighth month of school. 
• Children must demonstrate superior intellectual ability, defined as performance at or above a score of 125 (superior range) on a nationally normed, individually administered test of cognitive ability.
• Children’s skills will be assessed and observed in a simulated kindergarten experience that focuses on the following areas and abilities:
  • Writes name with clarity
  • Fine motor development (writing and cutting)
  • Large motor development
  • Recognizes all letters of the alphabet and their sounds
  • Identifies initial and ending sounds in words, and is able to blend sounds to read 3-letter words
  • Sounds out words and is beginning to read high frequency words such as the and is
  • Recognizes numerals 1-25
  • One-to-one correspondence (counting objects) to 15
  • Knows basic shapes
• Children must demonstrate socialization and behavioral skills more advanced than the majority of entering kindergartners, performing at high levels in all critical areas:
  • Ability to separate easily from parent
  • Ability to focus attention for appropriate amount of time during learning tasks
  • Ability to complete tasks in reasonable amount of time
  • Ability to transition easily
  • Willing to participate, share and cooperate in groups
  • Relative ease in socializing with peers
  • Ability to verbalize with teachers and peers

There are potentially three steps in the early entrance process. Children begin with the first step and if recommended, move to the next step in the process.

1. An individual screening
2. A group screening which simulates a kindergarten classroom experience
3. An individual evaluation by a school psychologist

The determination for eligibility for early entrance to kindergarten is made by a consensus decision of the assessment team. This determination is considered final. Results and the final determination will be shared with parents/guardians and the home school principal through a written assessment report.

If accepted for early entrance, students may then be enrolled for kindergarten at Central Enrollment at the District Center.

January-March

Parent/guardian receives information regarding early entrance at the Kindergarten Welcome Night, Early Childhood Screening, the district website, or from a district staff member. Parents/guardians can contact the Advanced Academics and Talent Development (AATD) office at 651-604-3749 or trina.hira@isd623.org to request more information, if needed.

February-March

Families may attend Kindergarten Enrollment Night with the understanding that their child may not qualify for early entrance in the fall. The event is held in early March at each elementary school. This session gives parents more information about the kindergarten program at the school.

April

Registration for early entrance is due April 1st. The initial screening takes place in April to determine who is a viable candidate for the early entrance process and will include school readiness skills, behaviors, and problem-solving skills.

May

Mid-May: District teachers and school psychologists will complete the group screening. Group screening will involve children participating in various situations to assess their developmental areas. Some tests will be administered individually, while others will be completed in a group. These include following directions to complete a project, counting objects, reading high-frequency words, demonstrating gross and fine motor coordination, answering questions, and engaging in student and adult interaction.

Note: There is a fee* for the group screening. Public schools are responsible only for enrolled children of school age, and there are costs associated with teachers leading the screening and writing evaluation reports.

Results from the group screening will be sent to families by the end of May. Results will indicate that (1) early entrance would not be in the best interests of your child, or (2) the child demonstrates some kindergarten readiness skills, and further individualized assessment with a school psychologist will need to be completed to determine the final decision.

June

Individual evaluations by a school psychologist will be completed by the end of June. There is a fee* for this assessment. Families will be notified in writing about the assessment results, specifying whether the child is accepted for early entrance or should enter school the following year at the age-appropriate time.

* If the fee would prohibit a family from participating, please contact the AATD Office (651-604-3749) to discuss the possibility of a fee reduction or waiver. Families must live within district boundaries to qualify for a reduction or waiver.