Charles County Public Schools has procedures and guidelines for early entrance into the kindergarten program. Parents must request and submit an application by June 2 for their child to be tested for early kindergarten admission. The school system will begin to accept applications on April 22.
Early admission for the 2014-15 school year is open only to children whose fifth birthday falls between Sept. 2 and Oct. 31, 2014, 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 demonstrate exceptional ability in social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Potential early admission students are tested through the Charles County Public Schools office of early childhood education, 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 2014-15 school year begins June 9 and ends July 14. Notification of decisions of conditional acceptance or denial for early admission will be mailed to parents the week of July 21. Applications must be received or postmarked by June 2. Students will not be tested if their application was received after the deadline.
Additionally, early kindergarten admission does not guarantee that a child will be promoted to the next grade. Decisions regarding the promotion of early admission kindergartners to first grade will be based on performance during the kindergarten year. Students who do not qualify for early entrance into kindergarten are not automatically placed into the prekindergarten program. Parents must submit a separate application for prekindergarten admission, and acceptance is based on state guidelines.
For more information on the early kindergarten entrance requirements and application process, visit the CCPS website at http://www.ccboe.com/community/parents/register.php. Call the office of early childhood education at 301-934-7360 with questions.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,400 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 35 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX Coordinator and Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Connie W. Armstead, Section 504 Coordinator (employees/adults), at Charles County Public Schools, central office building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, Maryland 20646. 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
