About Early Entrance

A unique type of whole-grade acceleration is early entrance to school (i.e., Kindergarten or first grade). When considering early entrance into kindergarten or first grade, keep in mind it is a process designed to meet the academic and social needs of the child. Students accepted into Kindergarten or 1st grade early are placed in a class where peers could be up to two years older. 

Early entrance is considered when guardians request that their child be enrolled in Kindergarten or 1st grade at the start of the upcoming school year even though the child is not yet five years old (Kindergarten)/six years old (1st grade) on or before September 1. 

Criteria for Early Entrance to Kindergarten

• The child’s fifth birthday falls between September 2, 20XX and November 30, 20XX
• Child attended a preschool taught by a certified early childhood teacher
• Child attends initial Kindergarten screening hosted at Oak Grove School 
• Both guardian and current preschool teacher complete BASC-3 rating scales.

Criteria for Early Entrance to 1st Grade

• The child’s sixth birthday falls between September 2, 20XX and November 30, 20XX
• Child attended a full-day preschool/pre-kindergarten program
• Child is screened for academics & school readiness
• Both guardian and current preschool/pre-kindergarten teacher complete BASC-3 rating scales.

Timeline 

• April 3rd: Parent Application Due 
• April: BASC-3 sent to current teacher and guardian
• May: Academic readiness screening at Oak Grove School (by appointment)
• June: Final decision