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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)