Durango School District 9-R has the opportunity to accelerate highly advanced gifted children under age 5 for kindergarten and/or under age 6 for first grade. This Early Access is for those eligible students if their birthdays fall after Oct. 1. It is intended to support students who are evaluated to be exceptional in aptitude/cognitive reasoning, academics, school readiness and motivation. Early Access is not an acceleration pattern recommended for the majority of age 4 or age 5 gifted children who will benefit from preschool or kindergarten programming that responds to the strength area. The purpose is to identify and serve the few highly advanced gifted children who require comprehensive academic acceleration. The decision is based on a thorough set of research-based procedures to determine if a child is eligible.
Early Access Timeline
Feb. 1: Application packets available for pick up at the Durango School District Administration Building, 201 East 12th St.April 1: Complete applications and screening portfolios are due. Applications after April 1 will only be accepted under unusual circumstances (i.e., a family moving to the area after the deadline but before school starting).Portfolios will be evaluated by the Early Access Team to see if further testing is warranted.Testing is done.Determination letters are sent within 60 calendar days of application and no later than June 1.An Advanced Learning Plan is created by September 30 and progress is monitored every five weeks throughout the first year of Early Access.For more information or application assistance, call Libby Culver, coordinator of Early Childhood Programs at 247-5411, ext. 1468.
