Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade

Early entrance to kindergarten is the admission to kindergarten of a student who: (a) will not be five years of age on or before September 1 of that school term; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school.

Early entrance to first grade is the admission to first grade of a student who: (a) is assessed for readiness, attended a nonpublic 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 31; or (b) is admitted prior to the dates established in the School Code based upon an assessment of his or her readiness to attend school.

Process

General Timeline

  • An early admission kick-off meeting will be held in January of each school year.
  • Registration must occur between February 1 and April 15 of the school year.
  • Family proves residency in District 97.
  • Family submits a written request for early admission.
  • Family completes the district's early admission application.
  • District 97 will confirm request for consideration and notify families of the procedures for evaluation.
  • Evaluation will take place between the last day of school and July 1.
  • Families seeking evaluation after April 15 must enroll in an age-appropriate school program; and students will be considered in the first six weeks from the onset of the school year.

Steps