Elementary Whole-Grade Acceleration
Students in Grades 2-5 who meet the requirements for single-subject acceleration in both English Language Arts and math may be eligible for whole-grade acceleration.
Whole-grade acceleration involves placement into the grade level immediately following the student's typical age peer group. The placement applies to the entirety of the school day, including all core academic subjects, creative arts courses, PE, lunch and recess.
Families of students who qualify for whole-grade acceleration may choose single-subject acceleration in math or ELA if they would prefer for their child to remain with grade-level peers for the majority of the school day.
District 112 utilizes a data-driven approach to ensure every student is placed in the most appropriate learning environment.
This page was last updated in August 2026
Identification Process
Proactive District Identification
Each February, District 112 automatically reviews existing data for all students in Grades 2-5. Students who meet the initial eligibility criteria for single-subject acceleration are identified through this proactive review.
Families of identified students are contacted directly by District 112 and invited to formally apply for further acceleration screening.
Students must meet the applicable criteria in both math and English Language Arts to be considered for whole-grade acceleration.
Parent/Guardian Request
Parents or guardians may also request that their child be considered for whole-grade acceleration.
Submit a Parent/Guardian Request for Acceleration
Upon review of the request and relevant student data, District 112 will contact the family directly. Families will either:
- Receive a formal application to proceed with further acceleration screening if the student qualifies.
- Be notified that the student does not currently meet the initial academic requirements for further screening toward whole-grade acceleration.
Initial Candidacy
Initial candidacy for elementary whole-grade acceleration is based on NWEA MAP scores.
Families will receive notification from the District in February if their student is identified as an initial candidate for whole-grade acceleration for the following school year.
Because whole-grade acceleration requires demonstrated readiness in both math and English Language Arts, students must meet the applicable initial criteria in both subject areas.
Math MAP Cut Scores
| Student's Current Grade | Spring, Previous Year | Fall, Current Year | Winter, Current Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 | N/A | 227 | 232 |
| Grade 3 | 236 | 238 | 241 |
| Grade 4 | 243 | 244 | 246 |
| Grade 5 | 248 | 248 | 250 |
Reading MAP Cut Scores
| Student's Current Scores | Spring, Previous Year | Fall, Current Year | Winter, Current Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 | N/A | 227 | 232 |
| Grade 3 | 236 | 238 | 241 |
| Grade 4 | 243 | 244 | 246 |
| Grade 5 | 248 | 248 | 250 |
Note: Spring MAP scores for the current academic year are not available at the time of the initial identification process. Spring MAP scores from the previous academic year are used.
Additional Acceleration Screening
Students whose families apply for whole-grade acceleration and who meet the initial academic requirements participate in additional screening.
To ensure a holistic and accurate view of student readiness, District 112 uses multiple valid and reliable measures, including:
- Cognitive Aptitude: CogAT assessment
- Curriculum-Based Measures: Specific performance tasks and benchmarks in math and English Language Arts
- Growth and Achievement: NWEA MAP assessments
- Social-Emotional Screening: Evaluation of the student's readiness for the transition to a higher-grade cohort
Final Determination Criteria
Following initial candidacy and application, students must meet the District's additional criteria for elementary whole-grade acceleration.
- Cognitive Aptitude - Students must score in the 95th percentile nationally on a cognitive aptitude test.
- Curriculum-Based Measures - Students must score at least 90% on both a math and English Language Arts curriculum-based measure of the grade they would skip to demonstrate readiness for whole-grade acceleration.
- NWEA MAP - Students must score at the 99th percentile on at least two of the last three NWEA MAP tests of the grade they would skip in both math and English Language Arts to be considered for further testing.
- Social-Emotional Readiness - Students must score within the STRENGTH, age-appropriate social-emotional skills range on the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) to demonstrate social-emotional readiness for acceleration.
Final Placement Decision
Final eligibility determinations are shared with families prior to the conclusion of the current school year.
For students who meet the whole-grade acceleration criteria, families are given the final choice to accept or decline the accelerated placement before summer break begins.
Families may also choose single-subject acceleration in math or English Language Arts rather than whole-grade acceleration if they would prefer for their child to remain with grade-level peers for the majority of the school day.
Kindergarten and First Grade Students
Due to developmental considerations, acceleration for students currently enrolled in kindergarten and first grade is reviewed on a case-by-case basis at the request of individual families.
The process mirrors the District's acceleration process, including the timeline and assessment process.
Additional Information
Families are encouraged to review the Acceleration Frequently Asked Questions for additional information about eligibility, assessment, scheduling and other considerations related to acceleration.
View the Acceleration Frequently Asked Questions
For questions about elementary whole-grade acceleration, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department.