Lancaster Board denies policy change for early admission to kindergarten

By Anna Jauhola
The Lancaster School Board recently denied a request from a parent to enroll their child early into the kindergarten program.
“Their child would be going into the P4s (preschool) next year, but they found some statute that shows we can consider it if the student was born before Oct. 31 and born in September,” said Superintendent Nicole Thompson.
The school district has policy 513, which does not currently include language to support early entrance. Thompson said other schools who allow early entrance to kindergarten follow an application process, which includes being assessed by the school psychologist to determine if the student is socially and academically ready to jump ahead. Students must also meet an IQ level to qualify for early entrance. The schools that allow these applications require that parents apply in February or March the year prior.
“So we’re wondering if that’s something you guys even want to entertain or, in the past, not entertain that idea,” Thompson said.
The board questioned why the process for early entry is so involved and difficult. Thompson said officials don’t want to just toss kids into a situation they’re not prepared for. Evaluating how many numbers and letters kids know prior to preschool doesn’t necessarily track how ready kids are for kindergarten. She noted that standardized testing for each early admission is necessary to ensure they are ready, and not just being placed because parents believe they are gifted.
After much discussion, the board didn’t feel the district should adjust its policy regarding early entrance for kindergarten. The board said there is an application process that would need to be created, and any early admission date is past for this year anyway. Board members Jim Scalese and Matt Nordin said it would be good to get further information about the process for possible future requests, but agreed with the denial.
The board denied the request for changing the district’s policy on early entrance to kindergarten.

To read the whole story, see the June 3, 2026, edition of the Kittson County Enterprise