Early Entrance Into Kindergarten/First Grade Procedures

Early Entrance to Kindergarten/First grade in Lake Villa School District #41 has established procedures to allow for parents to request early entrance into Kindergarten/First grade for their child whose fifth birthday falls after September 1st and before December 1st. This is in alignment with School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12. 

The decision to allow for early entrance into Kindergarten/First grade is very important. The criteria for consideration for early entrance may include multiple assessments to measure a student’s readiness in the areas of academic achievement, social emotional readiness, and  intelligence.  An interview with your child will be included as well as standardized measures.  This data along with parent feedback/questionnaire will help determine if Early Entry will be the best path for the child. The Early Entrance Review Team will work collaboratively with the parents. Parent input and background information about their child is valued and will be considered when making a determination about placement. 

Those requesting early entrance into Kindergarten/First grade must demonstrate advanced skills and capabilities for early learning as determined by their readiness in developmental areas. Decisions about early entrance will take into account factors such as academic and emotional readiness, without being influenced by a child's or their family's race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

Steps to Request Early Entrance to Kindergarten/First Grade

1. For early entrance into kindergarten/first grade, the child must live within the Lake Villa School District #41 boundaries and have a birthday between September 1st and before December 1st of that school year. 

2. Parents must submit the following paperwork by May 1 prior to the school year start date to initiate the process.

  •  Early Admission into Kindergarten/First Grade Request and Consent Google Form

  • Parents submit a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency

  • Submit a fee of $350.00 which covers the assessment services provided as a part of considering early entrance to kindergarten/first grade. In the event that a child does not meet screening criteria after the first appointment and the team does not believe a full early entrance assessment would be appropriate based on readiness; a $150.00 refund will be provided to the parent. If the full assessment is conducted; there will not be a refund regardless of the team’s decision on Early Entrance. 

3. Once all items in Number 2 have been completed, the Early Entrance Team will contact the parent/guardian to schedule appointments. 

Eligibility Process for Early Entrance Into Kindergarten 

1. The child will be scheduled for assessment dates after completing all paperwork and submission to the district. Dates are not flexible; they are based on the availability of our staff. 

2.  In the first appointment, the child will undergo a readiness assessment for kindergarten or first grade. This assessment includes an academic section, an observation of the student’s behavior, and a social-emotional evaluation. If the child does not meet the initial criteria for acceleration, there will be no need for a second appointment. Please note, there will be no opportunity to retake any part of the assessment, and all results are final.

3.  If the student passes the first screening, the second appointment may involve an intelligence assessment administered by the district’s school psychologist. 

4. If another language is spoken in the home, the WIDA MODEL will be administered in the areas of speaking and listening. This would be scheduled on a follow-up date if the child qualifies for early entrance. 

5. Following all assessments, the team will prepare a written report.  Parents will be invited to participate in a team conference; this is a very valuable part of the process as we need parent input and perspective as we summarize the results from the assessments. Members of the early entrance team will provide information regarding the child’s performance during the screening, review the test results, and give parents a written summary of the screening. 

6. The team will share the final decision with the family at the conclusion of the process. Students that have met the entrance criteria will be admitted for the upcoming school year. For students that have not met the early entrance criteria, the families have the right to appeal the decision with the District’s Superintendent. 

7. If families wish to appeal the decision, they must submit a letter to the District Superintendent within ten business days of the team’s decision. After receiving the appeal letter, the Superintendent will review all the data and assessments involved to make a final decision. Once the appeal process is complete, the decision will be final.

Eligibility Process for Early Entrance Into First Grade 

1. If the child has completed an accredited Kindergarten Program, an appointment with one of our district school psychologists will be scheduled to administer an intelligence assessment as well as a review of academic skills, social emotional ratings and parent input.

2. If another language is spoken in the home, the WIDA MODEL will be administered in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This would be scheduled on a follow-up date if the child qualifies for early entrance. 

3. Parents will be invited to participate in a team conference following the screening and testing. This is a very valuable part of the process as we need parent input and perspective as we summarize the results from the assessments. Members of the early entrance team will provide information regarding the child’s performance during the screening, review the test results, and give parents a written summary of the screening. 

4. The team will share the final decision with the family at the conclusion of the process. Students that have met the entrance criteria will be admitted for the upcoming school year. For students that have not met the early entrance criteria, the families have the right to appeal the decision with the district office administration. 

5. If families participate in an appeal process, all data will be reviewed and based on the assessments, final review by the Superintendent and parent conference, a decision will be made. Once the appeal process has occurred, all decisions are final. 

Assessment Guidelines 

● The child should score within above average ranges on intelligence assessments as measured by an individual test of cognitive ability administered by certified District #41 staff. 

● The child should demonstrate age appropriate social-emotional development as compared to grade level peers; this will be determined by the interview with the child and assessment observations. 

● The child should score within above average ranges on academic tasks across reading, writing, and mathematics

25-26 Early Entrance Request Form

 District #41 Administration 
Dated: 02/12/2025
6:135AP E1-Early Entrance Into Kdg/1st Grade
Reference:
Policy #6:135 Accelerated Placement Program
Policy #7:50 School Admissions and Student Transfers