
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
Academic Readiness
As in all areas, there are many academic differences among students who begin kindergarten with Durham Public Schools. There are no academic requirements that students must possess to begin kindergarten. Our teachers are ready to meet your students where they are and help spark their limitless potential.
We want to alleviate any concerns among parents regarding assessments that occur at the beginning of kindergarten. Students are typically assessed on their letter knowledge, concepts about print, reading level, basic math skills (such as counting, shapes, colors), and language skills.
These assessments help teachers to identify a baseline for where children are academically that will inform teachers in the creation of the best learning environment for each child. Many parents often enjoy meeting with their child's teacher at the end of the year to compare where their children started and how far they have come!
What Can I Do Now to Prepare My Child?
The Five Areas of School Readiness
You can help determine if your child is ready for kindergarten by understanding the five areas of school readiness:
Language and Literacy
Cognition and General Knowledge
Approaches toward Learning
Physical Well Being and Motor Development
Social and Emotional Development
In addition, you can practice the following with your child to help them prepare for life in the classroom:
Routines and Transitions
Transitioning from one activity to another
Transitioning from one location to another
Meal Skills
Opening food items (sandwich bags, juice boxes, etc.)
Drinking without a straw
Carrying a tray
Making appropriate food choices
Social Skills
Interaction with adults
Interaction with peers
Using coping skills
Solving disagreements
Separating from parents
Expressing Needs and Wants
Asking for help
Making good choices
Communicating preferred activities
Self-Help Skills
Waiting patiently
Taking turns
Personal care: Hand-washing, restroom visits, and nose blowing
Managing clothing
Managing personal items such as toys and learning supplies and devices
Durham Public Schools helps to prepare students for success throughout their academic career by providing:
Literacy
A balanced approach including thinking, listening, reading, writing and word study
Independent, modeled, guided and shared instructional approaches
Informal and formal assessments
Math
Development of number sense and reasoning using a conceptual approach
Understanding of operations and problem solving
Hands on learning encouraged through student exploration
Informal and formal assessments
Social Emotional Support
Availability of counselors, psychologists, social workers
Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)
Restorative Practices
Mental health support
Safety and health as a priority
Focus on equity
Support and resources are also available from the Family Academy:
Early Readiness and Early Admission to Kindergarten
Some children may be ready to begin kindergarten a year early. Durham Public Schools has established procedures for evaluating if a child is ready to begin kindergarten early. For a four-year-old child to be admitted into kindergarten, they must have reached their fourth birthday by April 16 of the instructional year for admission.
Phase I: Intent to Apply and Evaluation
Intent to Apply
Families seeking early admission to kindergarten must notify the DPS Office of Advanced Academics or the child’s base school within the first 30 calendar days of the new instructional school year and request an Intent to Apply and Notice of Independent Evaluation Form (AIG - K1).
Evaluation
To determine eligibility status, students must score at the 98th percentile on a national aptitude (IQ) test AND 98th percentile on a nationally normed achievement test provided by a psychologist who is currently licensed to practice in North Carolina. All evaluations must be administered after April 16 following the child’s fourth birthday. A report of the testing results must be provided to the Office of Advanced Academics with the Intent to Apply and Notice of Independent Evaluation Form (AIG – K1).
Note: Obtaining the aptitude and achievement assessment results is the sole responsibility of the child's parent or guardian and undertaken at their expense. DPS does not provide any screening for the purpose of early admission to kindergarten.
Upon successful completion of Phase One, qualifying students will move to the second phase of performance review and interviews by the school principal and the school's Early Admission Committee.
Early Admission Application and Overview
For more information, please contact Laura Parrott, Coordinator of Advanced Academics, at Email Laura Parrott.