What is the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District early entrance policy?

Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s policy states that children must turn five by September 1 of their kindergarten year for admission to kindergarten or six by September 1 of their first-grade year to be admitted to first grade. However, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District may consider early entrance if children meet the criteria established by the district’s early entrance policy.

If I put my child in private kindergarten, will she automatically be eligible for first grade the following year?

No. To be considered for early entrance to first grade, children who are not six by September 1 will have to meet the early entrance requirements.

Who makes the decision about whether my child can enter kindergarten or first grade early?

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District early entrance team will make the decision, taking into consideration test results and indicators of the child’s social-emotional readiness. Individual schools do not make this determination and once the evaluation is completed, it applies to all district elementary schools. The District will notify parents of the final decision regarding early entry. This decision will apply to all district elementary schools.

Who should I contact about having my child screened for early entrance?

Contact the Director of Elementary Education (MaryBeth Paulisse) at the District Services Center (7106 South Avenue, Middleton, WI) or see the link at the bottom of this page to request consideration for earlier entrance. Please specify whether the request is for Kindergarten or First Grade. Submit this by February 15th of the school year preceding the school year early entry is desired.

Why do children applying for early entrance have to be assessed when other children entering kindergarten do not?

Children who turn 5 on or before September 1 are age-eligible according to Wisconsin state law and therefore entitled to enter kindergarten. A child whose birth date falls between September 1st and December 1st may be considered for early entrance but must meet criteria that demonstrate the child’s skills are in the very superior range. Early entrance is considered a full grade acceleration.

What are the assessors looking for in the assessments?

Children cannot study or prepare for developmental readiness. Assessments include a variety of activities that measure each child’s progress in the following developmental domains:

1. Intellectual development

2. Academic skills and/or readiness

3. Personal/social readiness

Is my child guaranteed to attend his/her home school if admitted for early entrance?

Attendance at home school is not guaranteed. Enrollment and class size projections may impact school assignment.

Is early entrance to kindergarten the best choice for my child?

Please consider the following:

1. The intent of the early entrance process is to make kindergarten available to younger students who are capable of excelling in a classroom setting with children one year older.

2. The standards for early entrance are high to ensure that students are not frustrated by their advanced placement.

3. The potential social/emotional impact that entering school early will have on your child as he or she progresses through elementary, middle, high school, and beyond is not predictable.

4. Early entrance to Kindergarten is not a replacement for child care.

What is expected of students in kindergarten?

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District kindergarten curriculum is a rigorous instructional program that includes:

1. A daily 90-minute reading/literacy block,

2. A daily 45-minute writing block,

3. A daily 60-minute mathematics block,

4. Regular assessments to monitor progress and plan for continued instruction,

5. Small and large group instruction, and

6. Independent learning activities.

What are some social-emotional skills children should have to be considered for early entry?

The following social-emotional skills should be evident for students who would be successful in full-grade acceleration:

• The ability to play cooperatively with other children who are of the grade being considered.

• The ability to participate effectively in group activities.

• The ability to follow teacher/adult instructions and independently begin tasks set out by those instructions.

• The ability to easily separate from his/her parents/guardians.

• The demonstration of ability to address challenging tasks without signs of unusual levels of frustration, anxiety, avoidance or withdrawal.

• The demonstration of normal self-help skills for a kindergarten-aged child.

• The demonstration of sustained attention to a task or project, based upon grade-level standards.