Dr. Lisa Pennington is a member of the Charlotte Area Independent Admissions (CAIS) assessment team, specializing in administering cognitive assessments as part of the admissions process.

Testing Information:  Standardized cognitive assessments are administered to evaluate each child's readiness and potential for success in school programs.

• Rising JK/TK, Kindergarten, or 1st Grade Applicants: The Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence—Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) will be individually administered. Appointments generally last 45 to 60 minutes.
  *Please ensure your child is at least 4 years old by the scheduled testing date.

• Rising 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Grade Applicants: The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Fifth Edition (WISC-V) will be individually administered. Appointments typically last 60 to 90 minutes. *Note - not all psychologists schedule the WISC-V.

CAIS Testing Dates:

• TK/JK/K CAIS Testing Complete by February 1, 2026

• Grades 1-4 CAIS Testing Completed by February 20, 2026

Application Dates:

• TK/JK/K Application Deadline to CAIS Schools--December 31, 2025

• Grades 1-4 Application Deadline for CAIS Schools--January 15, 2026

• Please note that the CAIS Testing date can occur after the application deadline (see CAIS testing dates above).

Fees and Payment:  The cost for CAIS testing is $300, which includes test administration and electronic delivery of results to you and the schools to which your child is applying.

• Payment is required within 24 hours of scheduling.  If you prefer to pay by check, please inform the psychologist; a one-week grace period is available for check payments.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

• Emergencies & Illness:
  If a family emergency or illness arises, please get in touch with our office as soon as possible. We are happy to reschedule your appointment under these circumstances, and no fee will be charged.

• Rescheduling with Notice:
  If you need to change your appointment for any other reason, please notify our office at least 72 hours in advance. We will gladly reschedule your appointment at no additional cost.

  • For Monday appointments, notice must be given by the preceding Wednesday.

• Cancellations & Refunds:
  Once payment is made, a nonrefundable $100 fee applies to all cancellations.

  • Per CAIS guidelines, cancellations made within 72 hours of your appointment are not eligible for a refund.

• Unforeseen Circumstances:
  If an unexpected situation arises within 72 hours of your appointment, please contact our office immediately to discuss possible rescheduling options.

Additional Information:

An optional parent-only feedback session is available if you would like further insight into your child’s performance and the educational implications.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to assisting you through this process.

2026-2027 CAIS Brochure