Information about Acceleration Opportunities in District 97 - 2020

It is hard to believe that we are already heading into the winter months and preparing for Trimester 3. Looking ahead to the spring, District 97 will be preparing for Single Subject (Math or Reading) and Whole Grade Level Acceleration cases. We are currently in the second year of our new acceleration process.

District 97 believes that all students should be challenged and supported to develop to their maximum potential. For students who demonstrate they may benefit from accelerated placement, we provide opportunities to participate in an instructional setting that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Single subject acceleration
  • Whole grade acceleration

In accordance with the Illinois Accelerated Placement Act, District 97 has developed new procedures to ensure equitable access to acceleration opportunities for all students. These procedures were fully implemented in Spring 2020. 

Process for 2021-2022 Single-Subject and Whole-Grade Acceleration

Referrals for single-subject and whole-grade acceleration will be accepted from March 1 to May 15 of each school year.

The general process is outlined below.

  • To start the referral process please consider speaking to your student’s teacher and support staff that work directly with your student.
  • Families, staff and/or students must submit a written request to their school principal or assistant principal.
  • Once the school's Acceleration Review Team has reviewed and approved the referral request, families should complete the Acceleration Referral Form and return it to the principal.

Information about the District 97 Accelerated Placement Program, including definitions and timelines, can be found at http://www.op97.org/acceleration. We have also included a general overview of our processes below. We will send additional communication to families as we near the opening of our referral and application windows next year.

Family Acceleration Night will be held Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Click here for the event flyer. >

Additionally, for families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2020, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements. Click here to view the event flyer >

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by visiting our Let’s Talk page (bit.ly/D97LetsTalk) and clicking the button labeled “Acceleration.”

All the best,
Mrs. Faith Cole 
D97 Director of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)