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Kindergarten & 1st Grade Early Entrance Screenings

About 

Parents who are considering having their child assessed for early admittance into Barrington 220's kindergarten or first-grade program in the fall should review the following information. The screenings take place in the spring each year. Please note the screening date, application deadline, questionnaires, and documents required. For additional information regarding the requirements for early entrance into kindergarten or first grade, please see Barrington 220’s Extended Services Handbook, which is linked at the top of the Extended Services page. All students must pre-register to be eligible for early entrance screening.

Assessments & Process

  • Phase I

Assessments utilized for screening include:

  • Gross and fine motor checklist
  • Social interaction checklist

  • Observation of attention and engagement in tasks

  • Speech and language checklist

  • FastBridge Reading achievement/Fountas & Pinnell level

  • FastBridge Math achievement; Assessing Math Concepts (fall targets applied)
     

For some students, the screening process will end at this juncture based on the readiness data collected by the District Screening Team. Parents will be notified and a letter will be mailed home. Students who meet the fall achievement targets above will move on to Phase II.

  • Phase II

If warranted, a one-on-one cognitive assessment (WPPSI or Stanford-Binet) and an achievement assessment (WIAT or Woodcock-Johnson) will be administered by a district psychologist. Parents will be contacted with details and asked to provide consent. This does not apply to students seeking entrance into first grade who:

  • Have attended a non-public school for pre-school and continued at the nonpublic school for kindergarten
  • Were taught by an appropriately licensed kindergarten teacher
  • Met the District’s readiness requirements noted above
     

Upon completion of the formal report, results of the testing will be reviewed with the parents to discuss the recommended placement.

Early Entrance Qualifications - Kindergarten

To qualify for an early entrance screening for kindergarten, a parent/guardian must show proof of the following:

  • Proof of residency within Barrington 220 (gas bill, electric bill, mortgage agreement, real-estate closing, lease agreement, etc.).
  • Child's date of birth (the child will not be denied early entrance under the Extended Services and Accelerated Placement Programming Policy based on age)
  • Any attendance records from an early childhood center/preschool. 

  • Completion of Parent Questionnaire (electronic forms above).
  • Completion of Teacher Questionnaire (electronic forms above). 
     

Early Entrance Qualifications, Grade 1

To qualify for an early entrance screening for first grade, a parent/guardian must show proof of the following:

  • Proof of residency within Barrington 220 (gas bill, electric bill, mortgage agreement, real-estate closing, lease agreement, etc.).
  • Enrollment in Barrington School District 220 at Main Street District Administrative Center.
  • Child’s initial registration and enrollment in kindergarten in Barrington 220 (placement may be changed accordingly), if applicable.
  • Child's date of birth (the child will not be denied early entrance under the Extended Services and Accelerated Placement Programming Policy based on age).
  • Any attendance records from an early childhood center/ preschool and kindergarten.
  • Taught by an Illinois state approved teacher (see below to confirm teacher certification with ISBE), except the child will not be denied early entrance under the Extended Services and Accelerated Placement Programming Policy based on teacher certification.
  • Completion of Parent Questionnaire (electronic forms above).
  • Completion of Teacher Questionnaire (electronic forms above). 
     

Required Documents & Questionnaires

A Gmail account is needed to complete all forms. Recommended web browsers for a PC are Chrome or FireFox, while Mac users are recommended to use Safari.

  1. Birth certificate

  2. Proof of residency

  3. Early Entrance Parent Questionnaire

  4. Early Entrance Teacher Questionnaire (to be filled out BY THE TEACHER)

Any official school record of attendance (preschool or kindergarten)

(Community Unit School District 220 School Board Policy 6:135 & 7:50) 

Due Dates

All documents & questionnaires must be received on or before Monday, April 8, 2024. Please email or mail all required documents to:

Jordan Anderson
Director of Learning Services
Barrington 220 District Administrative Center
515 W. Main St.
Barrington, Illinois 60010
janderson@barrington220.org

Electronic questionnaires will automatically be reviewed upon completion (see below). Forms will not be accepted after the due date. Late entries will be asked to reapply next spring. Students already attending Barrington 220 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at their district school. After all documents and questionnaires are received, a confirmation phone call and/or email to parents/guardians for a screening appointment will be made. Parents are welcome to stay in a comfortable waiting room area while their child is being screened. Feel free to bring a book, tablet, snacks, or drinks.

Screening Dates

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the District Administrative Center (515 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010)

  • Potential Kindergarten students, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
  • Potential First Grade students, 1:00-3:00 p.m. 


Confirmed students will need to arrive promptly at the start times below and may require the full session to complete the screening. Click here for FAQs.