School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools

Early Entrance to Kindergarten/1st Grade
Procedures have been established to allow for parents to request early entrance into kindergarten for their child whose fifth birthday falls after September 1st and before December 31st and into 1st grade whose sixth birthday falls after September 1st and before December 31st. This is in alignment with School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.12.

The decision to allow for early entrance is very important. The criteria for consideration for early entrance includes a readiness assessment which is a combination of academic and social emotional readiness as well as a personal interview with the child. This data along with parent feedback will help determine if this will be the best path for the child. Parent input and the background information about their child is valued and will be considered in making a determination about placement.

Children of those requesting early entrance must demonstrate a need for early education, as determined by their readiness in developmental areas. The child must demonstrate capabilities that warrant admission. Decisions regarding early entrance must include but are not limited to the consideration of academic and emotional readiness regardless of race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or sexual orientation of the children and/or their families.

Steps to Request Early Entrance to Kindergarten

1. The child must live within the Emmons School District 33 boundaries and turn five years old after September 1st and by December 31st of that school year.
2. Parents must submit the following paperwork by June 1st prior to the school year start date to initiate the process: - 
   • Early Admission into Kindergarten/1st Grade Request and Consent Form
   • Parent Interview Form (Provided to parent after request form is completed and received)
3. Parents submit a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency by June 1st.
4. Parents sign a release form allowing Emmons School District 33 to observe the child in a pre-school setting.
5. A fee of $350.00 is due at the time of submission of the Early Entrance Request Form (Fee Waivers are not available for early entrance assessment). This fee covers the assessment services provided as part of considering early entrance to kindergarten.

Steps to Request Early Entrance to 1st Grade

1. The child must live within the Emmons School District 33 boundaries and turn six years old after September 1st and by December 31st of that school year.
2. Parents must submit the following paperwork by June 1st prior to the school year start date to initiate the process:
   
   • Early Admission into Kindergarten/1st Grade Request and Consent Form
   • Parent Interview Form (Provided to parent after request form is completed and received)
3. Parents submit a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and proof of residency by June 1st.
4. Parents sign a release form allowing Emmons School District 33 to observe the child in a Kindergarten setting.
5. A fee of $350.00 is due at the time of submission of the Early Entrance Request Form (Fee Waivers are not available for early entrance assessment). This fee covers the assessment services provided as part
   of considering early entrance to 1st grade.

Eligibility Process

1. The child will be scheduled for an assessment date after completing all the paperwork and submission to the district (Assessment date is based on staff availability and is not flexible).
2. During the appointment, the child will participate in a readiness assessment that includes an academic portion, a student observation rating and a social emotional rating. In the event that a student does not meet acceleration criteria, there will not be other opportunities for students to retake any portion of the assessment process; all results are final.
3. Parents will be invited to participate in a conference following the screening and testing. 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.

Administrative Policy Procedures for Early Entrance
Application for Early Entrance
Parent Consent Release Form
Parent Interview Form
Flow Chart for Early Entrance