Is Early Entry to Kindergarten the best choice for my child? 

Some children may be ready to begin kindergarten earlier than others. Cabarrus County Schools in accordance with the North Carolina General Assembly (HB-1099) has established procedures for evaluating if a child is ready to begin kindergarten early. For a four-year old child to be admitted into kindergarten, they must have reached their fourth birthday by April 16 of the instructional year for admission. 

The early entrance for kindergarten process is designed to provide an opportunity for students to enter kindergarten early. The process is designed for students who are not only academically ready and advanced, but who are also demonstrating advanced characteristics socially, emotionally, and developmentally that would demonstrate readiness for the elementary classroom environment. Students who are ready for kindergarten early are advanced in multiple areas when compared to their same-age peers, or other four-year-olds of the same birth month. Advancement is necessary in multiple areas as kindergarten’s expectations are heavily based on academics and preparing our students for the 21st century. Many students can demonstrate academic ability based on the exposure provided by parents and daycare settings; however, few children will demonstrate the aptitude, or thinking ability, needed to enter kindergarten early. When considering early entrance into kindergarten, keep in mind it is a process designed to meet the academic and social needs of the child, not as a replacement for child care. Students accepted into kindergarten early will be placed in a class where peers could be up to two years older. 

Early Admission Parent Packet (English, Spanish)

Early Entry to Kindergarten Application Steps

1. Child reaches fourth birthday by April 16^th.
2. Parent schedules aptitude and achievement assessment with a licensed private psychologist after April 16^th.
3. Child must meet the minimum testing requirements. 98^th percentile on aptitude AND 98^th percentile on reading or math achievement. IF CHILD DOES NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS STOP.
4. Parent begins to gather work samples and letters of recommendation.
5. Parent completes the application and submits all documentation and the application to the home neighborhood school, no later than the first 30 calendar days of the school’s instructional year. 
6. Administrator determines if the submitted packet meets the minimum requirements and responsds within three weeks. If requirements are satisfied, a school-based interview/assessment will be scheduled to mee the child and parent. 
7. Administrator communicates the final decision of the candidate. Parents may reach out to the appropriate learning community if questions or concerns arise.