Early Access

Clarification of Early Access to Kindergarten

At Global Village Academy North, Early Access is a path designed to support a small group of gifted children who are far ahead academically, socially, and emotionally and need to start school earlier to stay challenged. Early Access to Kindergarten is a form of grade acceleration that involves a careful decision-making process. It requires gathering detailed information and a thorough evaluation by a team of qualified professionals.

Colorado’s Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA) defines “Early Access” as:

Early entrance to kindergarten at age four or early entrance to first grade at age five for highly advanced gifted children who are placed in a grade level above other same-aged peers based upon the following conditions:

the student is formally identified as gifted as specified in 12.01(16); and
the student meets requirements for accelerated placement as determined in an auditable body of evidence (e.g., achievement, ability, social-emotional factors, school learning skills, developmental characteristics, and family and school support). 12.01(12)

A student shall be age 4 by October 1 for kindergarten and age 5 by October 1 for first grade. 12.08(2)(e)(i)(D)

The purpose of early access is to identify and serve the few highly advanced gifted children who require comprehensive academic acceleration. 12.08(1)(c)

Timeline & Application Process

Applying for Early Access to Kindergarten

Families seeking Early Access to Kindergarten (EAK) should obtain the EAK portfolio application from Susana Cabrera, GT Coordinator, or download it below.

Early Access Portfolio Application includes the following:

Early Access to Kindergarten Portfolio Application Checklist
Early Access to Kindergarten Application Form
Parent Letter
Child’s Birth Certificate
Parent Questionnaire
Early Access to Kindergarten Request for Input: Preschool Teacher
Preschool Teacher Checklist
Gifted Rating Scales-P form (Preschool/Kindergarten Form)
Initial $25 screening fee
OPTIONAL: additional work samples or artifacts as evidence of giftedness in the area of reading, writing, math, and/or social-emotional and behavioral readiness

January 1st is the first day that Early Access to Kindergarten Portfolio Applications may be submitted.
January 31st is the last day to submit Early Access to Kindergarten Portfolio Applications. Late or incomplete application portfolios will not be accepted.

Stage 1: Initial processing and screening

In early February, completed EAK applications will be processed and screened to determine if the candidate’s portfolio meets the initial criteria for gifted and talented identification or if further screening is needed to obtain additional information.

Stage 2: Cognitive Testing

Once an application is ready for cognitive testing, the GT Coordinator will communicate with the parents. The parents are responsible for paying a portion of the testing fee ($150).

Stage 3: Dual Language Immersion Kindergarten Readiness Observation

If the child performs at the 97th percentile or above, the candidate will be invited to participate in a Kindergarten classroom observation to observe the candidate’s readiness for a Dual-Language Immersion Kindergarten classroom environment.

All stages of the EAK application process will be completed by April 1st, and the GT Committee will review the body of evidence and make final decisions. By April 5th, EAK decision letters will be shared with families.

Early Access Application & Gifted Rating Scales

Susana Cabrera School Leader in Residency

Email Susana Cabrera 303-446-7100 ext. 105