Wake County Schools-early kindergarten admission (insurance, homes, high school)

[cj927]

I need some help with this one, if anyone knows anything. The cutoff date for kindergarten is October 16th. The child must be 5 by Oct. 16th. My daughter will be turning 5 October 24th, shy of 8 days. Does anyone know the process to take for my daughter to start kindergarten early. Is there special testing to get her in the program?

[lamishra]

In accordance with state law, gifted children who are age 4 by April 16 also will be considered for admission. For specific admission guidelines, contact the Kindergarten Office at 850-1854.

This is what it says on thier website. In my experience with other families who have tried, it's next to impossible. The child must be exceptionally gifted and you need to have private testing done. The schools here are already crowded and they try to keep numbers down as much as possible.

Next year they are rolling back the cut off to August so there will be no 4 year olds in school.

[findingmesomeday]

Wow, if we ever get down there, my daughter is going to be really old for her grade. Our cutoff here in MA is August 31 and my daughter's birthday is September 10.

FWIW, I think it's an advantage to be the older one in the classroom, not the youngest. I skipped a grade going through school and socially, it was tough going until high school. My middle child has a July birthday and around here, most parents will lean towards holding their summer birthday kids out an extra year rather than trying to get them in early. So he's one of the youngest in his grade and it has impacted him socially, too. In fact, I'm thrilled with the deadline in NC because he won't wind up being the absolute last one to drive, etc.

[shaylahc]

Originally Posted by lamishra

[i]

This is what it says on thier website. In my experience with other families who have tried, it's next to impossible. The child must be exceptionally gifted and you need to have private testing done. The schools here are already crowded and they try to keep numbers down as much as possible.

I agree with this. The process to get your child in is next to impossible and you have to pay for private testing yourself (and I can attest that it is VERY expensive!).

[lamishra]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Wow, if we ever get down there, my daughter is going to be really old for her grade. Our cutoff here in MA is August 31 and my daughter's birthday is September 10.

FWIW, I think it's an advantage to be the older one in the classroom, not the youngest. I skipped a grade going through school and socially, it was tough going until high school. My middle child has a July birthday and around here, most parents will lean towards holding their summer birthday kids out an extra year rather than trying to get them in early. So he's one of the youngest in his grade and it has impacted him socially, too. In fact, I'm thrilled with the deadline in NC because he won't wind up being the absolute last one to drive, etc.

I believe it's starting next year that they roll the cut off date back to August so almost no children will be starting before their 5th birthday.

[lamishra]

Here is a copy of the law/policy from the Randolph County school system. It's a state law for all of NC, so even though this is a Randolph County website, it would still be same for WCPSS. Sounds pretty intensive.


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[Spooky08]

We just went through this process with our child in Wake County. Let me tell you they make it very difficult! It cost $675.00 for educational testing through a psychologist, my child was on an end-of-year first grade reading level but her math was only end of kindergarten level, and she was denied admission. This is a child that can read pratically any of the 1, 2 & 3 leveled readers, and she can add and subtract simple problems like 3+3 or 6-1. The psychologist wrote a letter to the school board telling them she was more than ready for kindergarten and they still denied her.

I would only spend this money on early testing if you are 90% sure your child is ready because it is a costly and difficult process. Please don't be discouraged though if you think your child is advanced, it is far better to put them in early instead of being bored like my older child was.

Good luck to you all.

[panchodog]

Even though this thread was started 3 years ago and even though I have doubts about early admission I just wanted to say that some educational testing can be covered by insurance. Check your plan. You may not have to pay much.