The Early Childhood Program is for students ages 3-5 who qualify based on a screening. Screenings are administered by appointment only on several dates throughout the school year, held at Spring Grove Elementary School. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Special Education Department at (815) 678-6866.

Screenings are currently scheduled for the following dates:

• Sept. 6, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Oct. 11, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Jan. 17, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Feb. 14, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

District 2 offers two Early Childhood Program class options: self-contained special education or a blended classroom. All students in the Early Childhood Program will classes at Spring Grove Elementary (even if they will attend Richmond Grade School for kindergarten).

• Students may be eligible as early as their third birthday.

• Students have the option to ride a school district bus between home and school.

• Class size is limited to 10 students and is led by a certified special education teacher with classroom assistants.

• Children qualify as a result of a thorough evaluation process and may receive some or all of the following related services, based on their eligibility:

  • Speech/language therapy

  • Social work

  • Occupational therapy

  • Physical therapy

• Class size is limited to 20 students and is led by a teacher with dual certification in both regular and special education, along with a classroom assistant.

• Students must first be screened and may be determined to be eligible for this program in one of the following areas:

At Risk: Children ages 3-5 who are determined to be at risk of future academic delay. These students have the option of being transported between home and school on a District 2 bus and are not required to be potty-trained. After being determined eligible through a screening, these students may begin attending class anytime throughout the school year.

Special Education: Children ages 3-5 who have been through the evaluation process and are found to have delays in at least one area of development may receive some or all of the following related services, based on their eligibility:

• Speech/language therapy

• Social work

• Occupational therapy

• Physical therapy

These students have the option of being transported between home and school on a District 2 school bus and are not required to be potty-trained. After being determined eligible through a screening, these students may begin attending class anytime throughout the school year.

Tuition: Children ages 3-4 who exhibit skills at or above age expectations are chosen through a lottery in February before the start of the next school year. These students must attend a screening no later than February of the school year before the desired entrance. They must be potty-trained and parents will need to provide transportation between home and school each day. Tuition payments will be required.

If you have a concern regarding your child's development or would like to schedule an early childhood screening, contact Kristy Dodge at (815) 678-6866.