School District 54 follows Illinois School Code which specifies that to enter kindergarten, children must be five years of age by September 1 of their kindergarten year and six years of age by September 1 of their first-grade year.
The District 54 School Board permits placement into kindergarten or first grade for students younger than the entrance age requirements only for students who demonstrate high ability pursuant to the Board’s Accelerated Placement Policy.
The early entrance testing process is considered whole-grade acceleration and therefore is intended for students who are intellectually and socially advanced.
Important Considerations for Families
We ask parents to carefully consider whether early entrance will be of long-term benefit for their child. The decision for a child to enter school early can have a profound effect on academic and social performance for the remainder of their school career.
District 54 offers acceleration at all grade levels as well as gifted and magnet programs for students in grades 3-6 who are performing above grade level. Eligibility for these services will be based on their performance at the grade level they are in, not the grade level they are age appropriate for.
Students who qualify for early entrance will be younger than the majority of their grade-level peers for the remainder of their school career. This impact includes, but is not limited to, the age at which they would enter college.
Kindergarten – early entrance
Early Entrance testing for kindergarten may be considered for a child who meets the following criteria.
- The child will turn 5 years of age during their kindergarten year.
- The family is a resident of District 54.
First Grade – early entrance
Early Entrance testing for first grade may be considered for a child who meets the following criteria.
- The child will turn 6 years of age during their first-grade year.
- The family is a resident of District 54.
Early Entrance Application Process
All steps must be completed, in order, no later than May 1 in order for your student to be tested for Early Entrance.
- Complete the Parent Questionnaire.
- Complete an online registration. The online registration link will be provided on the submission confirmation page of the questionnaire.
- Schedule an appointment at your base elementary to complete the registration process. For more information on what is required to register, please visit our registration page.
Early Entrance Testing Process
- Students will be given the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment at their base elementary school in May. The exact date and time will be communicated by the school.
- Students who score in the top 5 percent of students, based on national norms, in both reading and math for the grade level they are testing for will be invited back to take a cognitive assessment.
- Students must score in the top 5 percent of students, based on national norms, on the cognitive assessment in all areas to qualify for Early Entrance.
Decisions regarding eligibility for Early Entrance qualification will be made by district administration based on meeting the criteria above. This decision is final.
Frequently Asked Questions
