Acceleration Process

A student may elect to be evaluated for possible placement into the math acceleration program in the first round of testing if they meet the first criterion of i-Ready scores as outlined below. Meeting this first criterion does not guarantee placement into the program, just that the student has met this first criterion. Students may test each school year, even if in prior years they may not have been placed into the program. Students/families who meet the first criterion will receive notification from the school district via Infinite Campus and may elect into further testing.

Students who do not meet the first criterion may still be able to test as part of the math acceleration reconsideration process and will be contacted at a later date with details about this process and second round testing opportunities. 

Students already in the math acceleration program do not need to retest yearly. 

Math Acceleration testing is NOT REQUIRED; normal on-grade-level mathematical learning will always be part of the curriculum and available to all students. Please review the following frequently asked questions to better understand the math acceleration program requirements:

• The student has demonstrated a significant depth of understanding and advanced higher-order thinking. The student shows abilities to reason abstractly, decontextualize, construct viable arguments, and justify mathematical thinking well beyond the level of their peers.  
• The student has demonstrated mastery of a high percentage of the mathematical content they request to accelerate through (often 2 grade levels above their peers). 
• The student is not showing mathematical growth despite documented differentiation/classroom enrichment, new and novel capabilities of problem-solving, and the ability to think mathematically beyond simple algorithmic manipulation. 
• Exhibits a positive math identity. On a daily basis, the student exhibits motivation to look deeper and with more complexity at mathematical concepts and procedures, maintaining an intense interest in mathematics. 
• Example: A student on their own accord seeks out challenging mathematical problems to solve or engages in mathematical discussions of interest.

• Students who require extensive out-of-school tutoring, test preparation, or extensive book study to attempt acceleration testing or accelerate through current or higher classroom content. 
• The student demonstrates a depth of understanding of some acceleration content or classroom topics, this indicates enrichment, not acceleration, is appropriate.
• The student exhibits speed at completing tasks or carrying out routine symbolic manipulations but does not consistently demonstrate evidence of higher-order thinking. Example: A student does not routinely complete Math in Focus enrichment or Thinking Cap problems as part of classroom work.
• Social-emotional needs of the student do not support the acceleration.
• A student exhibits a lack of motivation or no desire to look deeper and with more complexity at mathematical concepts and procedures while exhibiting average interest in mathematics.

Accelerated courses are not designed to be grade-level specific. The accelerated courses are designed to meet the unique needs of advanced math learners by blending mathematically appropriate content strands and application pedagogy. Students who complete the elementary math acceleration program will have completed coursework that includes 6th grade by the conclusion.

3rd Grade = Advanced Applications of Elementary Mathematics 1
4th Grade = Advanced Applications of Elementary Mathematics 2
5th Grade = Advanced Applications of Middle School Mathematics 1

These course offerings ensure that students do not skip foundational mathematical learning while providing for accelerated, deeper applications of mathematical learning and thinking. 

All courses are part of the elementary acceleration programming at the Fifth Grade Center (FGC), starting at 7:45 a.m., except for course three (3), as students are physically at the FGC full-time for this course and no longer attending their elementary school. Students can be transported to the Fifth Grade Center from a local Fifth Grade Center bus stop or parent drop-off. Students are returned to their home school (Courses 1 and 2) via district-provided transportation. 

Upon leaving the elementary acceleration program, students are placed in the appropriate next-level course when entering middle school, typically Advanced Applications of Middle School Math 2. Students can test for further acceleration for possible placement into Algebra 1.

Families should discuss a student's desire to potentially participate in math acceleration and carefully review the criteria outlined below.  

1. Have an i-Ready score that places a student at a National Percentile of 97+ on either the fall or winter administration of the 2024-25 school year test.

2. Must score at least an 80% in the Ladue Screener of Mathematical Thinking and Application (LSMTA)
3. Current teacher's positive math classroom report and grades
    

The LSMTA is a test developed with district and nationally recognized math experts. The tests evaluate students on both current grade level and above-grade-level content. The test's primary focus is to evaluate a student's ability to think through mathematical problems with reasoning and show the mathematical application of algorithmic abilities. Students are not required to always show a correct answer, but be able to show a thought process in solving the problem with explanations of their thinking. 

If math acceleration looks to be a possible fit for a student, a parent/guardian must sign up the student for testing with this form (opens Feb 1, 2026) to begin the process. Sign-up for testing will take place during the month of February and will close at midnight on February 28, 2026. This is a hard deadline as testing will begin as early as March 23 for some student groups. 

Direct Link to Testing Authorization Form (opens Feb 1, 2026)

Parents/guardians of children who test and meet all qualifying criteria for math acceleration will be notified tentatively by April 10, 2026, about placement for the next school year. This will occur after all district testing has been completed and the reconsideration process for all students has finished. 

Further questions can be directed to mathaccel@ladueschools.net.