Early Access

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Process for Highly Gifted Children to obtain Early Access into Kindergarten

Students that do not meet the age requirement for kindergarten (5 by October 1st) or 1st grade (6 by October 1st) may still apply for early access admission through a specific gifted & talent testing process if they will be 4 (for early access kindergarteners) or 5 (for early access 1st grade students) on or before October 1st of the enrolling year. The steps required to apply are as follows:

  1. Obtain a hardcopy SIGS form from the front desk and complete it. You must do this in person.
  2. Complete the online early access application portion for parents. (https://www.cilaschool.org/ea-parentform/)
  3. If your student has previous schooling or preschool experience, have the most recent teacher complete the online early access application portion for teachers. (https://www.cilaschool.org/ea-teacherform/)
  4. Pay the $25 processing fee. (please note: if this fee would pose an undue burden to your family, we can help! Please contact the school for more information)
  5. The application (all required forms & processing) in its entirety must be completed on or before February 28th of the expected early access enrollment year to be considered for submission. (e.g. if your student is applying to enter early access for either kindergarten or 1st grade at CILA, with the first day of school to be in August 2050, the early access application must be submitted & complete on or before February 28, 2050). NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

For questions regarding this process, please contact the school at the front desk and ask to speak with a member of the early access team, or email earlyaccess@cilaschool.org.

Complete applications will be processed and screened to determine eligibility for testing and observation. If the application demonstrates a strong need for the child to enter kindergarten or 1st grade early as a highly gifted student, he/she will move to testing/evaluation as follows:

    1. Achievement Testing in Early Math and Literacy
      1. If the child performs at the 97th percentile or above, he/she will move to cognitive testing.
    2. Cognitive Testing
      1. Parents are responsible for paying for this testing fee (approximately $250).
      2. If the child performs at the 97th percentile or above, he/she will move to readiness observation.
    3. School Readiness, Social Behavior, and Motivation
      1. If the child demonstrates readiness for Kindergarten or First Grade, a screening team will evaluate the complete portfolio and all testing/observation data.

The screening team will then determine if the child qualifies for early access to kindergarten or 1st grade. The early access determination letter/email will be sent to the family in a timely manner!