Advanced Learners are those students who fall into the categories of high achieving, gifted or talented.

High Achiever Programming

The advanced and accelerated programs are designed to provide opportunities for students who have demonstrated that they are prepared for more rigorous coursework that includes additional content, more complex challenges, and a faster pace. Data is carefully reviewed to match students data profile with the program that best suits their needs

Elementary Language Arts and Math

Elementary 

Though students are differentiated in all of their classes, the specific High Achiever programming is made available to identified students in reading and math. 

Teacher delivered specific differentiated reading instruction begins with 2nd and 3rd grade book clubs. Younger students (K-1) may be involved in book clubs as well, depending on the differentiation needs of the class. 

Advanced Language Arts(4th & 5th grade): 

• Identified 4th and 5th grade students will be pulled daily for an hour of literacy instruction by the Library Media Enrichment Specialist. This class is designed to enrich and extend students with challenging texts and more rigorous expectations for thoughtful participation as they meet grade level expectations at a pace similar to that in the regular classroom setting.

Accelerated Math (5th grade):

• Accelerated math programming begins in 5th grade. Identified students will be bussed daily to their feeder group’s middle school for math instruction from the Math Enrichment Teacher. Students in the accelerated math class will complete a compacted 5th grade curriculum with instruction targeted to be completed roughly mid-year  Students will then be using 6th grade curriculum for the remainder of the year.

Important Elementary Links

• Parent FAQ Elementary 
• Protocols and Processes for Advanced Learner Placement
• Advanced Learner Elementary Course Placement Appeal Form
• Questions?- Complete this form.

Middle School Communications and Math

Middle School Language Arts Courses

• Accelerated Classes/Cluster: Accelerated pace, higher text level, additional reading & writing content. Depending on the numbers of students eligible, this will be taught either as a separate class or as a small differentiated group in the regular classroom.
• Advanced Class: Higher text level, additional reading & writing content, pace of curriculum matches that of core classes

Middle School Math Courses

Curricular structure 

• • Single Accelerated Class
  • Double Accelerated Class

Click this link for the course sequence.

Important Middle School  Links

• Middle School Course Content Descriptions
• Parent FAQ Middle School 
• Protocols and Processes for Advanced Learner Placement
• Advanced/Accelerated Class Appeal Form
• Questions?- Complete this form.

EARLY ENTRANCE REQUESTS

CCSD21 follows Illinois law which specifies that, to enter kindergarten or first grade, children must be five years of age by September 1st of their kindergarten year or six years of age by September 1st of their first grade year. However, CCSD21 has an acceleration policy that addresses exceptions for children whose potential and skills are in the very superior range when compared with their peers. Please view more information here.