Naperville Community Unit School District 203 has established procedures to allow for requests from parents/guardians for early entrance into kindergarten. These procedures are specifically for children who demonstrate strong readiness for kindergarten and whose fifth birthday falls after September 1 of the upcoming school year. Because these procedures exceed State of Illinois requirements, the decision by District 203 regarding any application for early entrance into kindergarten will be final. 

Procedures for Early Entrance into Kindergarten 

The child must reside within the Naperville 203 boundaries.  All documents must be submitted by the dates indicated below by email to kdgearlyentrance@naperville203.org or through US Mail to:

Learning Services
Attn: Kindergarten Early Entrance
Naperville 203 District Administrative Office
203 West Hillside Road
Naperville, IL 60540

STEP 1: The parent/guardian must complete and submit the Application for Kindergarten Early Entrance by May 12, 2023. 

STEP 2: The parent/guardian should have the current early childhood licensed preschool teacher complete and submit the Preschool Teacher Recommendation. The preschool teacher must submit the recommendation form directly via email at kdgearlyentrance@naperville203.org by May 12, 2023. This recommendation form is highly preferred but not required. 

STEP 3: Proof of District 203 residency - Once the Application for Kindergarten Early Entrance is received, a confirmation email will be sent to the parent/guardian with details regarding the proof of residency process. This confirmation email will need to be presented to our Centralized Enrollment Office along with proof of residency, an original or certified copy of the student’s birth certificate, and any legal custody documents.

STEP 4: Once residency is confirmed and all forms have been accepted, the parent/guardian will receive a social/emotional learning questionnaire via email. A similar questionnaire will be emailed to the preschool teacher (if applicable). Each must be completed by June 5, 2023.

STEP 5: Screening will take place in-person at a District 203 school the week of June 26, 2023. The specific date, time and location will be sent to the parent/guardian once all forms have been accepted. The screening will include an observation and assessment of the following: social interaction, attention and engagement, gross/fine motor, speech and language, reading, and math skills. This screening is designed to gather the necessary assessment information for a decision regarding eligibility for early entrance to kindergarten. An email will be sent to the parent/guardian to share the results of the screening no later than July 9, 2023. 

Decisions regarding eligibility for early entrance to kindergarten will be final.

Frequently Asked Questions