Early entrance to kindergarten (or first grade) is a viable option for academically talented young children. The decision to pursue early entrance should be based on a noticeable academic advancement rather than a close birthday for enrollment. Kindergarten is an academic challenge and students should be placed in the appropriate grade for continued success throughout their education that matches their developmental stage.
Referrals for early entrance to kindergarten (or first grade) follow the below process:
- Referral form, Early Entrance to Kindergarten Parent Questionnaire, and two checklists are completed and signed by parent/guardian and then forwarded to the Gifted Coordinator.
- Gifted Coordinator schedules an ability test (measured by IQ) for the child with a school psychologist. A summary report is forwarded to the Gifted Coordinator.
- Gifted Coordinator completes the Iowa Acceleration Scale and determines if the student is a possible candidate for early entrance. If so, additional achievement and aptitude testings are scheduled and administered by the gifted coordinator.
- Results are communicated to parents/guardians by mail. In the event early entrance is recommended, an acceleration committee will be formed.