Early Entry Kindergarten Screening: What Families Need to Know
What is the entry age for kindergarten?
Arizona Revised Statute 15-821 states that a child enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year.
What other Early Childhood opportunities are available?
Please check our Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Pendergast Family Resource Center, which provide many learning opportunities for early learners.
Can I request an early entry Kindergarten screening if I do not live within the boundaries of the Pendergast Elementary School District?
Yes, you may request early entry to Kindergarten Screening if you live outside the district boundaries. However, only children who pass the Pendergast Elementary School District early entry screener will be admitted into kindergarten.
What is the expectation for children who enter kindergarten early?
Children who enter kindergarten early are expected to be ready for first grade the following year. Children admitted for early entrance to kindergarten should exhibit exceptional social and emotional maturity and advanced academic skills. They should be capable of working with children who are up to 14 months older.
Children must be 5 years of age by October 31st to participate in early entry kindergarten screening. Please contact Abrianna Perez at 623-772-2341 or abperez@pesd92.org
What is involved in the screening?
The screening lasts approximately 1 hour, depending on the child. The child will work one-on-one with a group of certified teachers or therapists in a variety of short assessments. Teachers will observe attention span, listening skills, and willingness to follow directions, fine and gross motor skills, speech and language skills, academic skills, and social skills. All screening takes place during the specifically scheduled days in the summer. All Early Entrance Kindergarten Screenings are administered in English.
Can I prepare my child for the screening?
No. The screeners look for readiness skills that develop naturally as children mature. You can’t prepare for this as you might for a traditional test.
When is the screening?
Screenings will occur in June and July
Please use the link below to request an Early Entry Kindergarten Screening.
Request an Early Kindergarten Screening Appointment
Can I stay with my child during the screening?
No; however, you must remain on the premises. Part of kindergarten readiness is the ability to separate from the parent.
How do I request an early entry screening?
Screening request forms will be available on the district website starting in February. You will complete an online request form including: First/last name of both you and your child, your current address, current telephone number, and current email, your child’s birthday, and the primary language is spoken in your home.
Who will evaluate the results of the screening and determine if my child can enter kindergarten?
Your child will work with a team of professionals who have many years of experience working with young children in the areas of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, cognitive abilities, and in social/emotional readiness. The team will score the evaluations using scoring rubrics provided with the testing materials and make a decision regarding whether or not to recommend early entry to kindergarten based on each child’s readiness. A personal phone call or letter will be made to each family with the results of the screening.
Can I appeal the decision if my child is not accepted for early entrance?
No. Simply participating in the screening process does not automatically guarantee a recommendation for early entry into kindergarten. The team makes every effort to be sure the process is fair, equitable, and the best long-term decision for each child.
Can I register my child for kindergarten before the screening takes place?
No. The results of the screening will be delivered by phone or mail. If children are recommended for early entrance to Kindergarten, parents will be directed to the enrollment office to register the student for school.
My child passed an early entry screener in another district. Will you accept that?
No. Only children who pass the Pendergast Elementary School District early entry screener will be admitted into kindergarten.
Can my child attend before and after school programs if they are accepted as an early entrant?
Each program has different age requirements, and parents must verify with their specific program to see if their child meets those requirements.
What are my options if my child is not recommended for Early Entrance to Kindergarten?
The Pendergast Elementary School District offers many programs to families with young children. Please visit the following links to learn more about these different programs.
Pendergast Early Childhood Program | Pendergast Family Resource Center
Screening Requirements
In order for your child to be screened, the following must be brought on the scheduled day of screening:
- A valid birth certificate
Our ultimate goal is to set each child on the path to a successful learning career. It is important to understand that this is not a matter of pass or fail. In order to make the most informed decision, the testing team considers multiple factors, both academic and social-emotional.