Washington state law requires that students entering kindergarten are 5-years-old before Sept. 1 and entering first graders must turn 6 before Sept. 1. Tahoma has a district board policy regarding early entry into kindergarten which is designed to locate children who are exceptionally advanced in all areas of development.

Parents must complete the Request for Exemption form in the Early Entry Policy and Procedures packet and turn it in to Judy Gilara, Teaching and Learning Department.

Parents must then attend a meeting in May with an early childhood school psychologist and a central office coordinator

Parent meeting invitations are mailed out two weeks prior to the meeting. Parents arrange to have their children assessed by an independent certified child psychologist of their choice.

The psychologist who did the assessment provides the parents and district with a report comparing test results with eligibility standards no later than August 15.

Parents will be notified by letter on the early entrance decision.

A letter indicating eligibility allows them to register their child at their home school.