Early Entry First Grade

First Grade Requirements

According to the Arizona Education Code 15-821 (C), “a child is eligible for first grade if the child is six years of age. A child is deemed six years of age if the child reaches the age of six before September 1 of the current school year. The governing board may admit children who have not reached the required age as prescribed by this subsection if it is determined to be in the best interest of the children. For children entering the first grade, such determination shall be based upon one or more consultations with the parent, parents, guardians, the children, the teacher, and the school principal. Such children must reach the required age… of six for first grade by January 1 of the current school year.”

EARLY ENTRY 1ST GRADE

Typical 1st Grade Entry Children who are 6 years old by August 31, 2025, are eligible to enroll in first grade. Families should provide documentation showing successful completion of Kindergarten at another school as part of the enrollment process. If this is the case for your child, you can enroll your child here.
	Early 1st Grade Entry Children who turn 6 between September 1 and December 31, 2025 may be assessed to determine readiness for early entrance into first grade. The intent of early entrance is to identify highly capable children who miss the regular September 1 cutoff for first grade entrance. Early entry is specifically geared for children whose curriculum achievement level far exceeds the norm. In order to be considered for the early entrance exception, the child must exhibit advanced skills in language arts, mathematics, and in social, emotional and motor development as measured by tests administered by the Deer Valley Unified School District.

Typical 1st Grade Entry

Children who are 6 years old by August 31, 2025, are eligible to enroll in first grade. Families should provide documentation showing successful completion of Kindergarten at another school as part of the enrollment process.

If this is the case for your child, you can enroll your child here.

Early 1st Grade Entry

Children who turn 6 between September 1 and December 31, 2025 may be assessed to determine readiness for early entrance into first grade.

The intent of early entrance is to identify highly capable children who miss the regular September 1 cutoff for first grade entrance. Early entry is specifically geared for children whose curriculum achievement level far exceeds the norm. In order to be considered for the early entrance exception, the child must exhibit advanced skills in language arts, mathematics, and in social, emotional and motor development as measured by tests administered by the Deer Valley Unified School District.

About Early Entrance 1st Grade

Screening Information

In order for children to qualify for early entrance into 1st Grade, students must be able to demonstrate the following basic skills. (Please note that the list below describes general concepts that are tested.) Due to the testing being a secure document, we are unable to list individual test concepts or questions.

Social and Emotional Skills

Communicate clearly and answer questions in complete sentences
Separate easily from parents/caregivers without getting upset
Interact appropriately with adults
Follow simple instructions with multi-step directions
Pay attention to a single task for an extended period of time

Academic Skills

Grade level Math, literacy, and writing skills
Express ideas and thoughts verbally and in writing

In addition to the test results, the following key indicators will be considered along with identified pertinent information when making the decision regarding early entrance to first grade:

Early entrance into first grade is intended for children who excel in meeting the first grade readiness standards and are capable of working in a classroom setting with children who are up to 13 months older.
The needs of the whole child should be considered including social/emotional and physical factors as well as cognitive.
A child should exhibit a level of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional maturity that is commensurate with that of children who are up to 13 months older.

Early Entry 1st Grade Information

TEST REGISTRATION

Online Registration:

1st grade readiness testing is scheduled upon request. A $75 non-refundable testing fee is due at the time of registration.

Testing date:

June 3, 2024

Testing will take place at the District Office Governing Board Room, 20402 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027. Please allow up to 1 ½ hours for the testing. The testing is individually administered by a certified Deer Valley psychologist.

Due to FERPA laws, the results of the test CANNOT be released via phone. Test results will be emailed within two weeks of the test date. All results are final. Parents can then enroll their child into first grade by presenting the acceptance letter, stating the student has passed the first grade readiness test to the home school registrar.

No age-exceptions will be granted after the start of the first day of the school year, unless unique circumstances exist with children transferring from another school, state or country. In these unique circumstances, all rules and procedures described above will be followed. No screenings from other schools will be accepted.

SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD FOR TESTING

Online Registration:

Parents may enroll their child in one of the available test time slots and pay the non-refundable $75.00 registration fee.
On the test date/time, parents must bring the following documents: (1) a paper copy of receipt; (2) child's original birth certificate; and (3) child's kindergarten grade report.
NOTE: Attendance at a kindergarten program is required in order to register for Early Entry 1st Grade Testing. ALL documents are required at the time of testing.
District Office Governing Board Room, 20402 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85027.

OPEN ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

Open Enrollment Option

If your child meets the criteria for placement in the first grade and you are interested in your student attending a school that is not in your attendance boundary, you will need to complete an online Open Enrollment Application after you receive the acceptance letter for early entrance into first grade. Note: This qualifying letter will need to be uploaded to the online enrollment application.

30-DAY OBSERVATION PERIOD

Thirty Day Classroom Observation Period

If your child passes the first grade readiness test, please be aware that the first grade teacher will observe the early enrolled student's work habits and developmental maturity in the classroom setting during the first thirty (30) school days enrolled. If there is a concern about the appropriateness of placement during that time, the school will have ongoing formal and documented communication with you. The administrator and the teacher will meet with the parent at the end of the 30 days if it is determined that the child is struggling academically, socially, or behaviorally. The principal will make a determination at the end of the 30-day time period about the continuation of placement in early entry first grade after reviewing all data and will communicate that decision with you. The administrator's decision is final.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM

Before & After School Care Program

Early entry kindergarten students may enroll for the Before & After School Care Program once they have reached their 5^th birthday. Learn more at the Community Education web page.

Please email giftedservices@dvusd.org if you have any questions.

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