Accelerated Placement Program

District 153 provides an Accelerated Placement Program (APP) or above grade level placement opportunities. The APP advances the District’s goal of providing educational programs with opportunities for each student to develop to his or her maximum potential. The APP provides an educational setting with curriculum options usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the student participating in the APP. (This is sometimes referred to as grade skipping or above age level course placement.)

APP options include, but may not be limited to: (a) accelerating a student in a single subject; (b) other grade-level acceleration; and (c) early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. Participation in the APP is open to all students who demonstrate high ability and who may benefit from accelerated placement. It is not limited to students who have been identified as gifted and talented.

Honors/Enrichment/Gifted education should not be confused with Acceleration. Students in HSD 153 that are identified for Enrichment Programs are working at grade level on the same skills as their peers but with a greater depth and breadth of knowledge based on their ability and talents.

Accelerated Placement

Homewood School District 153 has established procedures to allow for requests from parents/guardians and/or teachers for student acceleration. These procedures are specifically for children who are currently enrolled in the district and demonstrate strong readiness for acceleration beyond their current academic placement.

More About the Acceleration/Early Entrance Process

Timeline:

1. Referral form with request for acceleration may be completed by parent/guardian, teacher, or administrator.

Parent referrals are due by May 15th for placement during the following school year
Teacher’s referrals must be completed by May 10th

2. The Curriculum Department will review cognitive ability test results and nationally normed achievement tests in mathematics and reading results.

OLSAT = 120 Composite or above (only administered in 2nd grade)
Nationally Normed District Benchmark Assessment - Math and/or Reading = Benchmark Scores (average or 2 of 3) in 95%ile and above. (i.e. NWEA, STAR, etc.)
Student is Above Proficient on State Assessment for their current grade level

Early entrance to kindergarten or 1st grade will require the screenings described below in place of the above.

Brigance = 90 or higher
Fountas and Pinnell Reading Comprehension = Level C for Kindergarten; Level H for 1st Grade (This is based on F & P standards for meeting mid-year expectations)

3. Parent permission is needed for additional assessment if the above criteria is met. If not, parents will be notified that student did not meet requirements.

Early Entrance to K - 1

- Woodcock-Johnson IV Test of Early Cognitive and Academic Development = 110 or higher according to age norms in all areas (Concepts, Language, Motor, Self-help, Emotional)
- DP3- Interview/Observational Assessment by psychologist

Full Grade Skipping= Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS-3)

Single Subject Acceleration = All applicable content area end-of-year (EOY) assessments for grade level of subject/course to be skipped (…multi-unit exams, writing competency exam, mathematic fluency, IXL…)

4. Team Members complete IAS-3 (for full grade acceleration only), components and results are tallied; EOY Content area assessments and referral forms are reviewed.

5. Team Meeting to discuss assessments and referrals and make recommendations

Acceleration Plan is drafted (if applicable)
Parents receive copy of signed plan or a written notification of denial

6. Student progress will be monitored through the MTSS process and Acceleration Plan will be updated annually.

Team Members:

Building Principal (or designee)
Director of Curriculum and Instruction (or designee)
Classroom Teachers (current and advanced grade/content teacher)
MTSS Coordinator
School Psychologist (for full grade acceleration)
Parent or Guardian
Student (will not be present at meeting, but will be consulted with prior to meeting)

Annual Acceleration Request Requirement

Families requesting academic acceleration for their child must submit a new Acceleration Request Form each school year. This ensures that decisions are based on the most current student data and circumstances.

Requests for acceleration for the 2025-2026 school year were due by May 15, 2025. No other requests are being accepted at this time for a placement change for the 2025-26 school year. The form will reopen on February 1, 2026 for requests for the 2026-27 school year.

Early Entrance

Requests for Early Entrance into Kindergarten/First Grade for the 2025-2026 school year were due by May 1st, 2025. No other requests are being accepted at this time for a placement change for the 2025-26 school year. The form will reopen on February 1, 2026 for requests for the 2026-27 school year.