Exceptional Children's Educational Act (ECEA) defines "Early Access" as:
Early entrance to kindergarten at age 4 or early entrance to first grade at age 5 for highly advanced gifted children who are placed in a grade level above other same aged peers based upon the following conditions:
the student is formally identified as gifted as specified in 12.01(16); and
the student meets requirements for accelerated placement as determined in an auditable body of evidence (e.g., achievement, ability, social-emotional factors, school learning skills, developmental characteristics, and family and school support). 12.01(12)
A student shall be age 4 by October 1 for kindergarten; and, age 5 by October 1 for first grade. 12.08(2)(e)(i)(D)
The purpose of early access is to identify and serve the few highly advanced gifted children who require comprehensive academic acceleration. 12.08(1)(c)
The application window for Early Access to Kindergarten and 1st Grade is open from September 1st through October 15th. Families interested in having their child evaluated for possible entry into Kindergarten or 1st Grade a year earlier than typical age eligibility (for enrollment beginning in Fall 2026) are encouraged to visit our Family Site for more information to go this website: https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade).