For those children who will not be five by September 30, but will be five years of age on or before January 1, a multi-step evaluation is administered annually by qualified school personnel (specific dates are determined prior to testing). This research-based evaluation is currently the only one approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
After completing enrollment, a parent/guardian completes the Complete an Early Entrance to Kindergarten Referral Form and submits it to the principal of the child’s assigned school. The Early Entrance to Kindergarten referral process will open April 1. Applications received for eligible students between April 1-May 20 will have the early entrance assessment completed during the month of June. Applications received between May 21-June 24 will be completed in August. Families will be notified at the start of the assessment window to schedule.
Following the completion of the referral form, the appropriate building principal will contact you to discuss your referral and how our schools can meet the needs of your child. Should you wish to continue with the process, the principal will assemble an acceleration team, which includes the parent/guardian, the principal, a school psychologist and a teacher. As your child is not in school yet, you may be asked to provide informed consent for additional assessments to be completed or for staff to speak with your child's preschool or daycare. Before a decision is made about early entrance to kindergarten, the team will complete The Iowa Acceleration Scale. The acceleration team will review the results of the Iowa Acceleration Scale and other data to reach a decision about early entrance to kindergarten.