Parents of 3, 4 and 5 year old children, who do not yet attend kindergarten and are residents of Cass School District 63, may register for a free preschool screening. A preschool screening will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025. The purpose of this screening is to determine if a child may be at-risk for future learning difficulty, and to determine if a child is eligible for enrollment in the Cass District 63 Preschool Program at Concord Elementary School. Students who qualify for the program are identified through a free developmental screening process conducted by state-certified early childhood teachers and related service providers. Children’s development in the areas of speech, language, motor abilities, concept formation, and preschool readiness skills are screened. Results of these screenings are used to identify students who might be at risk of developing difficulties with school and to identify students for further evaluation if a disability is suspected. 

Children who qualify based on preschool screening will be eligible to attend our blended prekindergarten program for free. Our program is an award-winning, ExceleRate Gold Circle of Quality free preschool program for three and four year old students who reside in Cass School District 63.  It is funded by the Preschool For All Grant by the State of Illinois. The program is play-based and developmentally appropriate while providing foundational skills for a successful entry to Kindergarten. Our program is held 2 1/2 hours each day, 5 days per week in either the morning or afternoon session.  If a student qualifies for the program, school staff would guide parents through the enrollment process. Morning or afternoon enrollment is based on availability at the time of enrollment. This program is taught by certified Early Childhood teachers using the research-based Creative Curriculum. The program follows the Cass District 63 school calendar. If your child does not qualify to attend our program for free our district offers a tuition-based option that serves children ages 3-5 who are progressing at a rate typical of their age. 

Children must be pre registered to participate in the preschool screening session. Screenings will last about one hour.  For more information regarding qualification and eligibility for this program, and to schedule a screening appointment, please contact Pam Worth at 331-481-4000 ext. 4060.