Prospective Kindergarten students are assessed in cognitive development, fine motor skills, language development, emotional/behavioral maturity, academic/pre-academic skills, and attention style. A preschool evaluation will also be used for children currently enrolled in a preschool program. Berkshire Christian School reserves the right to request additional testing if there is a questionable screening or questions from the preschool the child attends.
Prospective First Graders and up are screened in various ways, including an examination of school records, a recent teacher recommendation (within one year), a recent achievement test (within one year), and our own mathematics and language arts testing. The student’s overall achievement score must be on grade level or above. The teacher recommendation and school records are assessed for the student’s 1) ability to learn; 2) motivation to learn; 3) attention; 4) compliance / amenability to discipline; 5) attendance; 6) responsibility.
Fourth Grade and up will be asked to complete some admission application questions. Berkshire Christian School is committed to teaching all subjects in light of the truth of Scripture. Our desire is to see all students at Berkshire Christian School continue to grow in their walk with Christ as they complete their studies here. All new students in Grade Four and higher who have applied for admission to Berkshire Christian School must have at least two recommendations. These can be from a current or previous teacher, administrator, or counselor. The applicant’s Youth Director, Christian Education Director, Minister, or Pastor may complete one of the recommendations. The Evaluator should complete all questions on the form and return the recommendation to the student or parent in a SEALED envelope with their signature across the seal if time does not allow for mailing of the recommendation.
GRADE PLACEMENT
Berkshire Christian School reserves the right to place students in the appropriate instructional level as determined by test data and developmental maturity. Children must be five years of age by December 31st to be eligible for Kindergarten, providing all other academic and developmental criteria are satisfied.