1. Parents and Students
  2. Programs
  3. Gifted & Talented
  4. Early Access

Early Access

What is Early Access?

Littleton Public Schools, in accordance with the Colorado Exceptional Children’s Education Act (ECEA) and Board Policy JEB (Entrance Age Requirements), allows students who do not meet the entrance age requirement for enrollment in kindergarten to apply for early access to kindergarten the following criteria must apply:

  • The student is transferring from an accredited state or private kindergarten. Only accreditation from state and/or national organizations will be accepted.

           OR

  • In order to apply, your child must be 4 years old before school starts in kindergarten as documented by a legal birth certificate or other acceptable record. They must meet the criteria for gifted and talented identification as outlined in Colorado House Bill 08-1021.

The decision for a child to enter school early can have a profound effect on his/her academic and social performance for the remainder of the child’s school career. It is a decision that must be taken very seriously.

Applications for Early Access to kindergarten are only accepted for the upcoming school year from January 3rd - April 1st of that year for the next school year. 

No applications will be accepted after the April 1st deadline.

How do I apply?

  • Parents must contact the elementary school which they plan to attend and notify them of their interest in Early Access to kindergarten.
  • Parents will then be directed to complete the online application. (Haga clic aquí para obtener la solicitud en línea en español.)
  • The District Coordinator for Gifted & Talented will then mail the portfolio packet to be completed by the parent(s) or legal guardian(s). In order to proceed with the process, only completed portfolios will be accepted.

Contact

Should you have any further questions or are interested in this process, please contact the Coordinator for Gifted & Talented at 303-347-3477 or by email at jmontano[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us.

What does the process look like?

  • The parent decides to pursue Early Access by completing the process as outlined by the District Coordinator for Gifted Education. No child will be considered until a complete application is submitted.
  • If the student meets the criteria for identification as gifted and talented as defined in the Exceptional Children’s Education Act and LPS procedures, the student’s portfolio and assessment results will be brought forward to the local school’s Gifted Review Team for a decision. The school’s Gifted Review Team may include the principal, district coordinator, G/T school psychologist, G/T facilitator for that school, kindergarten teacher and/or preschool teachers, and any other appropriate person (i.e. counselor, ELD teacher or Special Ed teacher, etc.)
  • The team reviews the complete portfolio and makes a decision within 60 calendar days regarding placement. 
  • Parents will be contacted with the decision of the team by means of a Letter of Determination. If the child is placed in the program, a conference is scheduled with the parent(s) and any appropriate school personnel to develop an Advanced Learning Plan for the school year of enrollment. 

Please Note: The final decision to accept or not to accept a student is ALWAYS at the discretion of the local school.

Programs