Skip To Main Content

Early Entrance

Kindergarten

Early entrance to Kindergarten is the admission to Kindergarten of a student who:

  • Will not be five years of age on or before September 1st of that school term.
  • Is admitted prior to the dates established in the school code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school. 

This unique type of whole-grade acceleration may be an excellent option for some children. Due to the years of impact early entrance can have on a child, we give this decision very careful consideration. We will not assess or consider children for early entrance whose birthday falls after October 31 of the school year term. 

1st Grade

Early entrance to first grade is the admission to first grade of a student who:

  • Is assessed for readiness, attended a non-public preschool and continued his or her education at that school through kindergarten, was taught in kindergarten by an appropriately certified teacher, and will attain the age of six years on or before December 31st,

OR

  • Is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school.

The child's 6th birthday must fall between September 2 and December 31 of the school term. We will not assess or consider children whose birthday falls after December 31. 

Early Entrance Requests

Please direct requests to DPS 109 Director of Learning and Instruction Jason Jezuit. 

Early Entrance Timeline

  • Registration Request
    • February - April
  • Assessment & Decision
    • May-June

Learn more by reading the Board Policy Manual online (reference 6:135 Accelerated Placement Program).

Early Entrance Steps

Step 1

  • Parents/caregivers register the student in Deerfield Public Schools District 109.
  • Parents/caregivers will be asked to provide two documents for proof of residency (options listed below) and their child's birth certificate:
    • One (1) from this list:
      • Property tax bill
      • Warranty deed
      • Signed lease with proof of payment
    • Two (2) from this list:
      • Driver's IL License
      • License plate registration
      • Voter registration 
      • Auto insurance card/statement
      • Gas, electric, or water utility bill (no cable or phone bills)

Step 2

Step 3

  • May/June
    • Records Review: Information collected from preschool/kindergarten, including interview with current teacher.
    • NWEA MAP: Math and Reading: need to score in the 90th percentile or above in both reading and math to be considered for Early Entrance
    • Local Assessments: math assessment, reading assessment, and writing sample.
    • Observational Data: Independent and functional skills.

Step 4

District reviews data and follows up with the family.

Step 5 (if needed)

  • An intelligence test administered by a school psychologist.
  • An adaptive measure administered by a psychologist.

Step 6

  • District decision, made by a team consisting of a district administrator, the school principal, the school psychologist, and supporting school staff.