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Accelerated Placement Program
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Accelerated Placement Program

acceleration

Peoria Public Schools is dedicated to providing educational opportunities that help each student reach their maximum potential. Our Accelerated Placement Program (APP) is designed to offer advanced curriculum options for students who demonstrate high ability and could benefit from accelerated learning. 

To support this, we offer an application process for accelerated placement twice per year: once in the spring for placement in the upcoming academic year, and again in the fall for potential mid-year placement. We encourage families to apply during the spring window to allow for a smooth transition into the next school year. 

The APP includes: 

  • Single Subject Acceleration: The admission of assigning a student to math or reading at a higher grade level than is typical, given the student’s age for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities. 

  • Full Grade-Level Acceleration: The admission of assigning a student to a higher grade level than is typical, given the student’s age on a full-time basis, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities.  

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Spring Applications are open for Next School Year ( 2025-2026)

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Applying in the spring provides the best opportunity for your child to begin the new academic year prepared for an advanced learning experience. Spring placement allows for a seamless transition into the accelerated program, ensuring students start the school year ready to thrive. Additionally, Spring applications allow families time to plan for placement next school year, including summer skill-building and pre-reading. 

  • Application Opening Date: April 14, 2025  

  • Application Deadline: May 16, 2025  

  • Placement Timeline: Families can expect to be notified of placement decisions after the district's acceleration team reviews the collected assessment data.  

  • Important Note: Applying in the spring allows your child to be considered for accelerated placement in the following school year without obligation. You retain the right to decline the placement offer if your circumstances change.  

  • Early Application is Encouraged: Spring applicants will be among the first to be reviewed, allowing more time for thorough evaluation.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

Single Subject Acceleration: Students may be considered for single-subject acceleration if they meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • State Assessment Performance: In the previous year, perform in the "Exceeds" test category on the IAR or state assessment in the subject in which acceleration is sought. 

  • NWEA Assessment Performance: Perform in the 95-99 percentile for two (2) consecutive NWEA assessment tests in the subject in which acceleration is sought. 

Full Grade-Level Acceleration: Students may be considered for full grade-level acceleration if they meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • State Assessment Performance: In the previous year, perform in the "Exceeds" test category on the IAR or state assessment in both reading and math. 

  • NWEA Assessment Performance: Perform in the 95-99 percentile for two (2) consecutive NWEA assessment tests in both reading and math.  

Implementation for Specific Transitions:

Understanding how accelerated placement works logistically is important for planning. Here are details for specific grade-level transitions:

  • For 4th Graders in K-4 Buildings Accelerated to 5th Grade Math or ELA: If a 4th-grade student qualifies for single-subject acceleration in math or ELA, and their current school only goes up to 4th grade, their 5th-grade instruction will be provided in one of the following ways:

    • Online Instruction: Students may receive 5th-grade math or ELA instruction through an approved online virtual program while remaining enrolled at their primary K-4 school for all other 4th-grade subjects.

    • Middle School Instruction: Students attend the district-assigned middle school (based on their residential address) specifically for their in-person 5th-grade math or ELA class. Transportation to and from the middle school for this class must be provided by the family.

  • For Middle School Students Accelerated to High School Courses: The delivery method for middle school students taking high school level courses (e.g., an 8th grader taking Geometry) will be determined based on course availability, scheduling, and student needs. Options may include:

    • Online Instruction: Students may receive high school math or ELA instruction through an approved online virtual program while remaining enrolled at their middle school for all other subjects.

    • High School Instruction: Students attend the district-assigned high school (based on their residential address) specifically for their in-person math or ELA class. Transportation to and from the high school for this class must be provided by the family.

    • Note: Prior to the start of 8th grade (or the relevant grade level), options for accessing high school courses will be reviewed by counselors and administration, and a specific delivery plan will be developed with the family.

 How to Apply: (if the above criteria have been met) 

  • Complete the Online Application:  ACCELERATED PLACEMENT APPLICATION The application can be completed by a Peoria Public Schools staff member, administrator, or parent/guardian. 

Fall Applications for Mid-Year Placement 

A second application window is available in the fall for potential mid-year placement. However, mid-year placement can be disruptive to a student's learning, as they are acclimating to new teacher styles, students, and coursework, which can make academic growth harder. We encourage families to take advantage of the Spring Application process to avoid these challenges. 

  • Application Opening Date: To Be Determined 

  • Application Deadline: To Be Determined 

  • Placement Timeline: Families can expect to be notified of placement decisions after the district's acceleration team reviews the collected assessment data. 

  • Important Note: Applications received during the fall window are considered for mid-year placement only. 

Identification Process 

Step 1: Gather Assessment Data - Information is collected about the student by district staff from a variety of sources, which may include but are not limited to: 

  • NWEA MAP Scores (Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress): Standardized tests that measure a student's academic growth in reading, math, and language usage. 

  • SIGS-2 Home (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students - Second Edition): A tool completed by parents or guardians to identify signs of giftedness in their child. 

  • SIGS-2 School (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students - Second Edition): A tool completed by teachers to assess a student's giftedness based on classroom observations and performance. 

  • WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children): An intelligence test that measures cognitive abilities such as verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning. The WISC is administered at Bradley University, and the cost of this assessment is covered by parents. 

  • CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test): Assesses a student's reasoning abilities in verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal areas. 

  • IAR Assessments (Illinois Assessment of Readiness): Statewide standardized tests for students in grades 3 through 8 that measure performance in English Language Arts and mathematics. 

  • Curriculum Based Measures for English Language Arts: Evaluates a student's English language arts skills to determine readiness for advanced content.  

  • Curriculum Based Measures for Mathematics: Assesses a student's mathematical skills to determine readiness for advanced content. 

Step 2: Review Process - The district’s academic acceleration team reviews the body of evidence collected from various sources. The team consists of: 

  • Director of Curriculum 

  • Curriculum Coordinator of Literacy & Social Sciences 

  • Curriculum Coordinator of Math & Science 

  • Curriculum Coordinator of MTSS & Gifted Education 

  • Online Learning Coordinator 

Step 3:  Parent/Guardian Meeting - Parents are notified after the district's academic acceleration team review is completed. 

  • If Acceleration is Not Recommended: A phone call will be made to discuss the findings and the reasons for the decision. Parents/guardians will be offered the option to schedule a meeting if they wish to discuss the evaluation in more detail. 

  • If Acceleration is Recommended: A meeting is held to present the results and create an academic acceleration plan. Parents/guardians may decline the accelerated placement at any time. 

Contact Us 

For any questions or additional information, please contact Jason Wynn at (309) 672-6536 ext. 22253 or email jason.wynn@psd150.org.  

Click Here for the Online Application:  ACCELERATED PLACEMENT APPLICATION