Early Entrance to Kindergarten

A parent may request consideration for early admission to kindergarten if the child turns five years of age after the district’s kindergarten entrance date (August 1) and before January 1.  The local board of education shall determine entrance through a standardized testing program.  Requests for consideration for early admission to kindergarten must be made by May 1 in the year in which kindergarten placement is being requested.  To officially request consideration, please call Paula Zirm, Gifted Supervisor, 419-447-3358 to obtain an official request form or print one here and mail it to 103 Shepherd Drive, Tiffin, OH 44883.

There are two separate board policies surrounding early entrance to kindergarten, both include the student obtaining a minimum score on a cognitive evaluation, among other criteria.  Children who will not yet be the proper age for entrance to kindergarten by August 1 will be given a cognitive evaluation if parental request is received by May 1. Children who are not yet the proper age for entrance to kindergarten by the first day of January of the school year for which admission is requested shall also be evaluated for possible early admittance if referred by an educator within the district, a pre-school educator who knows the child, or pediatrician or psychologist who knows the child.

Early entrance to kindergarten is addressed through gifted education.  It is covered in the State of Ohio’s Model Student Acceleration Policy.  According to the Ohio Revised Code (3324.01), “gifted” means students who perform or show potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment and who are identified under Division (A), (B), (C), or (D) of Section 3324.03 of the Revised Code.

Is requesting early entrance to kindergarten the best choice for your child?

Early entrance should be viewed as a means of meeting a child’s needs.  The key to determining whether or not early entrance is appropriate is developmental readiness.  Even though a child may have a lot of ability, s/he may not be ready for kindergarten.  Social maturity, personal development, and motor development are important factors for a child’s success in school. 

Early entrance is designed for the exceptional child who is both academically ready as well as developmentally mature when compared to others his or her chronological age.  This opportunity is designed as a measure to meet individual differences in school readiness.

Some considerations when determining if early entrance is right for a child:

• Is my child capable of working in a classroom setting with children who are one year older than him or her?
• Will my child be frustrated by this placement?
• What are the possible long-term impacts for my child as s/he progresses through elementary, middle and high school (e.g., beginning college at a younger age).
• Early entrance is not designed as a replacement for child care.  Is this a need or awant?
• Do I understand the expectations for students in kindergarten today?

There is a difference between ability and achievement.  Some children may appear exceptional simply because of their access to opportunities (e.g., preschool programs, parents working with them on skills, or access to learning materials).  Early entrance is designed for the child who not only has ability but easily achieves when presented new material.

Once the decision has been made for early entrance, the choice is difficult to reverse.  If a child is evaluated as a good candidate for early entrance to kindergarten, it is important that all stakeholders are supportive of the decision.