Applications for Early Kindergarten Due 6/1

Sharon

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Staff member
PREMO Member
Charles County Public Schools has procedures and guidelines for early entrance into the kindergarten program. Parents must request and submit an application by June 1 for their child to be tested for early kindergarten admission. The school system will begin to accept applications April 23.

Early admission for the 2012-13 school year is open only to children whose fifth birthday falls between Sept. 2 and Oct. 31, 2012, and who reside with a parent or guardian in Charles County. State law requires students entering kindergarten to be five years old by Sept. 1 in the school year in which the child registers. In some cases, early admission is granted to children who turn five years old between Sept. 2 and Oct. 31; however, there are a number of considerations and rigorous admission standards.

To be considered for early admission, children must have demonstrated exceptional ability in social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Potential early admission students are tested through the Charles County Public Schools early childhood office, which uses a standardized test that takes approximately 60 minutes and includes mathematics, reading/language and general knowledge for kindergarten. A certified teacher or administration member administers the test individually to each child.

In addition to testing, the following are other guidelines set by the Maryland State Department of Education and Charles County Public Schools for early entrance into a kindergarten program.

· Children must be five years old by Oct. 31.
· Student placement in the program is based on exceptional ability in social emotional, cognitive and physical development.
· Children are conditionally admitted early into kindergarten and observed for a 30-day placement review at the beginning of the school year.
· Acceptance for early admission and registration does not guarantee continuation in kindergarten beyond the 30-calendar day placement review.

Testing for early kindergarten admission in the 2012-13 school year begins May 21 and ends June 29. Notification of decisions of conditional acceptance or denial for early admission will be mailed to parents the week of July 16. Applications must be received or postmarked by June 1. Students will not be tested if their application was received after the deadline.

For more information on early entrance requirements, visit the Charles County Public Schools Web site at Charles County Public Schools - Register Your Child For School and look for the early entrance kindergarten application packet. Call the division of instruction at 301-934-7360 with questions.
 
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