Skip To Main Content

Accelerated Learning Opportunities

District 401 may provide accelerated programming for highly-advanced students who demonstrate skill levels that are well above grade-level expectations. Accelerated programming is commonly referred to as early entrance, grade skipping, or accelerated placement. 

In 2018, the Illinois legislature passed the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act (Public Act 100-0421). This act allows Illinois public school districts to include early entrance to kindergarten and first grade, and to provide grade accelerations (often referred to as grade skipping) for all grades. This process is reserved for students who demonstrate highly advanced skills but do not meet the District’s regular age requirements for the desired grade (typically, children must turn five by September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten and turn six by September 1 to enroll in first grade).

District 401 defines accelerated placement as:

  1. The placement of a child in an educational setting with a curriculum that is typically reserved for children who are older or in higher grades than the child
  2. This includes but is not limited to, the following types of acceleration: early entrance to kindergarten or first grade, acceleration of a child in a single subject or for a whole grade

The District uses an evaluation process to determine if a student qualifies for an accelerated placement.

What Accelerated Opportunities Are Available?

Accelerated opportunities include anything enriched, Advanced Placement, high school credit (if in middle school) or dual credit (if in high school), as well as accelerated placement of students with respect to subject matter or grade.

In District 401, enrichment opportunities are available to students based on their performance on the following assessments:

Opportunities for Grades K-5

Enrichment Pull-Out Program

Students will extend grade-level skills with greater context and understanding of the subject matter.  Enrichment tasks will be scaffolded utilizing vetted resources recommended by the NAGC organization. Students will participate in the program during the second half of their core class of ELA and/or Math with an Enrichment Specialist.  

Opportunities for Grades 6-8

Advanced Courses

Students in grades 6 & 7 will extend grade-level skills with greater context and understanding of the subject matter. Semester 1 focuses on grade level standards while Semester 2 focuses on the next grade level standards. 

Courses for High School Elective Credit

All 8th-grade students will take a semester of Civics and have an opportunity to take Spanish I.
Students who meet the criteria will engage with High School Honors Courses for English, Math, and/or Biology.  

Opportunities for Grades 9-12

Honors or Advanced Placement

Students will have the opportunity to extend their grade level and content skills in Honors or AP Courses.

Advanced Placement

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses may receive college credit if they pass the national test for that course with a score of 3, 4 or 5. Tests are taken onsite in May and there is a fee of $85 per test. Test fees are waived for students qualifying for a fee waiver or free/reduced lunch. All students enrolled in AP classes are required to take the test. For more information, visit the College Board's website or contact your EPHS Counselor.

Available Advanced Placement courses:

English
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Fine Arts
Business

Dual Credit

Dual-credit courses offer students the opportunity to receive credit that can be applied toward their high school diploma and toward a college or university degree. There are no additional fees to enroll in dual-credit opportunities at EPHS. However, students must complete the registration process at the respective dual-credit college or university. Please note that a placement exam or SAT score may be required to participate in dual-credit opportunities.