Edmonds School District No. 15
Lynnwood, WA 98036-5789
8135-R1 - PROCEDURES FOR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE EARLY ENTRANCE
Adopted
6/1/81
Revised
5/17/82
5/2/83
7/18/83
7/12/94
4/4/97
9/7/04
11/21/07
KINDERGARTEN
1. An early entrance candidate for kindergarten is defined as a child whose fifth birthday falls between (and including) September 1 and October 31. Proof of age is required.
2. Parents may apply for permission to enter such child by contacting the district office who will advise them of the procedures.
3. Children who are candidates for early entrance must be screened in the following areas:
- Mental ability
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Visual discrimination
- Auditory discrimination
- Social/emotional development
The child must pass the screening in all areas at a level equal to the average entering student ( five and one-half years in all areas).
4. An outside evaluation which meets the aforementioned requirements must be done by a Washington State licensed psychologist or Washington State certified psychologist. Families meeting the free and reduced meal requirements may apply for hardship. If eligible, testing will be provided by the district in August.
5. Test results and applications for early entrance will not be considered after August 15 th.
6. The teacher and principal will observe the child during a trial period of the first 25 days that the kindergarten class is in session. The principal will report to the parent on the child's adjustment and progress, and make a final determination in regard to continuation in school.
7. If a child is denied early admission to school, an appeal of such denial is subject to the hearing process of the district.
8. A student shall be admitted to kindergarten if the student has been attending a public-school kindergarten or first grade while residing in a district other than Edmonds and thereafter transfers to the Edmonds School District during that school year.
FIRST GRADE
1. An early entrance candidate for first grade is defined as a child whose sixth birthday falls between (and including) September 1 and October 31. Proof of age is required.
2. Parents may apply for permission to enter such child by contacting the district office who will advise them of the procedures.
3. Children who are candidates for early entrance must be screened in the following areas:
- Mental ability
- Gross motor skills
- Fine motor skills
- Visual discrimination
- Auditory discrimination
- Social/emotional development
The child must pass the screening in all areas at a level equal to the average entering student (six and one half years in all areas).
4. An outside evaluation which meets the aforementioned requirements must be done by a Washington State licensed psychologist or Washington State certified psychologist. Families meeting the free and reduced meal requirements may apply for hardship. If eligible, testing will be provided by the district in August.
5. Test results and applications for early entrance will not be considered after August 15 th.
6. The teacher and principal will observe the child during a trial period of the first 25 days that the kindergarten class is in session. The principal will report to the parent on the child's adjustment and progress, and make a final determination in regard to continuation in first grade.
7. Any child not otherwise eligible for entry to first grade who successfully has completed a kindergarten program in a public or private school shall be permitted entry to the school program: provided, that the kindergarten program standards substantially equaled or exceeded the applicable basic education program requirements.
8. If a child is denied early admission to first grade, an appeal of such denial is subject to the hearing process of the district.