Family Guide to Early Kindergarten Entry
The WNESU has specified that children must be five years of age on or before September 1 of the year in which the child plans to enroll in kindergarten. Families who believe their child should enter kindergarten at a younger age, should submit their request in writing to their building principal no later than April 1st.
Children whose birth date falls more than 30 days beyond September 1 are not eligible for early admission under any circumstances.
Upon receiving a family’s request, the school district will initiate a process to assess the child’s academic and developmental readiness for kindergarten. Based on this information, administrators will make a recommendation to the school board who ultimately will approve or deny the request. All board decisions concerning early kindergarten entry are final and will be made by August 1 prior to the start of the school year under consideration.
Procedure for Early Kindergarten Entry Consideration
1. Any parent requesting early kindergarten entry for their child should submit a written request to the building principal. This letter must be submitted no later than April 1 prior to the school year under consideration.
2. The building principal, Pre-K Principal, and/or the Director of Instruction will set up a meeting with the family to discuss the kindergarten program, their child, and their decision to request early entry. This meeting is required.
3. The family will complete registration forms and obtain the necessary documentation showing proof of residency and birth date. These registration materials will be supplied by the building principal.
4. The PreK or Kindergarten teacher will interview the child’s current preschool teacher and/or arrange for an informal observation to review the child’s academic, social, physical, and emotional progress relative to same-age peers.
5. The WNESU Team (current preschool teacher, Universal PreK Coordinator, Kindergarten teacher, the Director of Instruction and the building principal) will make a recommendation to the Superintendent, who will accept or decline the family’s request for early entry to kindergarten.
6. The Superintendent will make a decision regarding the family’s request no later than July 1 prior to the start of the school year under consideration. The Superintendent’s decision is final.