Skipping kindergarten in MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, I think Montgomery Co. has a strict policy against it anyways so even if your child was working 5 grade levels ahead it wouldn't be an option so it's a moot point.

You may have some wiggle room in later years for a grade skip.

Not true. DD is in MoCo K right now, and two kids from her class have been bumped up to 1st grade. OP, I suggest you talk to the school. You might want to start in K and see if they can do what they did for those kids my DD's class. Otherwise, there is a form on the MCPS site for early entry into 1st, but it might not work for kids past Oct. 15th birthdays.

[Anonymous]

You're welcome. Would you mind updating after you speak with the school? I'm just curious.....

[Anonymous]

OP here - no problem, will post an update when I speak with the school.

[Anonymous]

I just saw this.

Went through this exact same issue with my son last year. I agonized over it after his teacher suggested the same thing. He has October birthday so was within the window for testing, making the issue all the more muddied.

We ended up putting him in Kindergarten and have not regretted it for one second. First off, your daughters Montessori teacher probably is not all that familiar with how K is at your local school. It took me a while to realize this. I was also concerned that my son would be bored but its really been fine. I am glad that he is ahead both academically and personally and I don't have to worry about him. A lot off the younger kids in class have it quite hard in this respect.

[Anonymous]

My daughter was in a montessori school in Texas and we moved to Maryland. MCPS wanted her to be in Kinder based on her birthdate (Oct 6) since the cutoff date was Sep 1 at the time. I said that in Montessori she just did kinder and they allowed her into first grade without a problem. When I filled out the paperwork at the school the principal was there and I just said that she already had kinder experience. It has not been a problem for us academically. She is currently in a HGC and was just accepted to both Takoma and Eastern Magnets. Socially, we sometimes notice that she prefers the younger kids in the class. A grade lower may have been a better fit in this regard, but really has not been a huge issue. Montessori schools don't usually have grade levels, but rather divide kids into classes based on ability. Just ask the current teacher to not put an official grade level on the report cards or ask her to put grade one if that is the level he's working at. It was not a big deal at all, just tell them he did Montessori kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I just spoke with the principal (this is for Westbrook Elem). She reiterated the October 15 cut-off in the county policy and said that while different schools have different philosophies, Westbrook follows the county policy strictly. She said there is differentiated instruction on a daily basis for K. She said some of the kindergartners are reading at a mid-first grade level and that the teachers work with them on keeping up their reading and math skills. They are having an orientation in April and she said I would be able to learn a lot more about it then. I suppose that satisfies me for now. I do hope he will continue to be challenged! If not, I suppose we'll have to gear up and supplement outside of the classroom. Private is not an option at this point.

[Anonymous]

Your son and half his class will be ready for 1st grade, in K. It's just the culture of MCPS--kids performing one to two grades above. Trust me, as a parent of a 1st grader in MCPS who entered K with academic capabilities at a 2nd grade level, he will be just fine.

[Anonymous]

My DD is currently in K, with a December birthday (so she recently turned 6). She is not in public school right now, but in her current school, she is FAR ahead of the rest of her class (only 3 of whom are now 6). Most of her friends are first graders that she sees in her aftercare.

I don't necessarily regret her being in K, and her teachers have given her more advanced work when it's warrented, but she would also be doing just fine in 1st grade. I think knowing what I do now, I'd still keep her where she is.

[Anonymous]

OP,

Why isn't private an option? Many privates offer financial aid.

[Anonymous]

OP, thanks for the update. I was curious. I was one of the previous posters who had a child in the same situation. At our school they only differentiate for reading (not math). Its really been OK though. My son hasn't learned any new math but he does some on his own (by his chosing) and is a happy school-loving kid. I am quiet happy with our choice.

Just for a reference point, there are 3 kids in my son's class who came in reading at > 2nd grade level. Don't worry, there are a ton of other advanced kids. You will be surprised, I know I was.

[Anonymous]

If you post on GTA Letters, you might get some btdt advice. I know of children who started K early, which isn't quite the same thing. At least one of the moms posts on GTA Letters.

[Anonymous]

Our DS is at Westbrook and came in from Montessori. The teacher had broken them out into reading groups within the first month - DS was not at all alone - I'd guess that about 1/2 of the K kids came in reading pretty solidly (1st gr or higher & are now easily equal to what I'd seen of 3rd yr M students), just based on what I see volunteering. The teachers are adept at challenging kids at every level (and the librarian has great suggestions too).

Earlier posters are right in that K is a social leveling field: getting all kids to understand how to interact not just with kids a year or two older or younger, but kids who are about to graduate to middle school (K is matched w/ 5th gr for buddies). The socialization is very different vs. M-school, where the kids were much more in their own world.

Unlike M school, where all things were in the classroom, the Kindergarteners have to sort their way around the serpentine halls of a building that is as big as my HS was! It isn't just getting used to one teacher, but they switch out for "specials" each day. Bathroom isn't in the classroom anymore. It's not just about remembering to pack their backpacks & zip their coats up. Etc.

By 1st gr., most of the kids seem know each other. So, K is also a "networking" time, for lack of a better word. We love the school and couldn't be happier with the K teachers.