Overview:
In accordance with Ohio’s acceleration policy (ORC 3324.10), Early Entrance to Kindergarten is an option for children who demonstrate exceptional academic and developmental readiness. It is a form of whole-grade acceleration, designed for students whose educational needs cannot be met by the standard kindergarten curriculum.
Who is Eligible:
Children with birthdays after August 1 may be considered if they function 18–24 months ahead of their peers in cognitive ability, academic skills, social-emotional maturity, and motor development. This is not intended for children who narrowly miss the age cutoff or who have had typical early learning experiences.
Application Deadline:
Families must submit an Early Entrance application by May 1st of the school year preceding the intended enrollment year. This deadline ensures sufficient time for evaluation and placement, as testing must be completed before the end of the school year.
Key Considerations:
Early Entrance is for innately advanced learners, not just early achievers.
Kindergarten today is a full-day, academically rigorous program.
Very few children meet the criteria for Early Entrance.
Families should have a preschool or child care backup plan in place.
