Entrance Requirements

SMS Board Policy

In the academic year 2002-2003 the St. Matthew School Board voted to amend the policy regarding entrance requirements as follows:

Children who do not qualify for the Pre-Kindergarten 3 year old and 4 year old, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 programs based on the September 1 age requirement will be given the opportunity to apply to these programs.  If the child meets the age requirements outlined by the Connecticut Department of Education, he or she will be given the opportunity to be interviewed and tested according to school policy.  It is understood that acceptance into these programs will be based on the outcome of the testing and interview process and is at the sole discretion of the school administration.

A child entering Kindergarten must complete the ABC Inventory Testing.  Most of the assessments done in Kindergarten are informal and individual.

Requirements for entrance into Early Childhood Programs at St. Matthew School Pre-Kindergarten 3 year old and 4 year old programs and Kindergarten:

• Child must be age appropriate, 3 years old, 4 years old and 5 years old as of September 1.
• Child must be able to use lavatory facilities independently.
• Child must be able to communicate effectively.
• Child entering Kindergarten, in addition, needs to pass an informal readiness inventory.

Requirements for entrance into Grade 1

• Students applying for Grade 1 must be 6 years old as of September 1 and must pass standardized testing.

All new students entering St. Matthew School and Pre-K must have a physical examination.