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Grade Acceleration/Retention

The Snoqualmie Valley School District is committed to providing all students with a free and appropriate public education aligned with best practices, current research, and Washington state guidelines by enrolling students in the grade level corresponding to their chronological age. In rare and carefully considered cases, however, a student’s unique academic and developmental needs may warrant an exception. These exceptions include grade retention, where a student repeats their current grade, and whole-grade acceleration, where a student skips the entire next grade level. Both unique paths require a comprehensive evaluation of the child’s academic performance, social-emotional development, and historical school data. Tools such as Light’s Retention Scale or formal psychological assessments (obtained by the family) may be used to determine readiness. Decisions are made collaboratively and with great care to ensure that the outcome supports the long-term well-being, success, and holistic development of the student.

Steps to Request a Grade Acceleration

If you choose to pursue whole-grade acceleration, the following procedure applies:

  1. The parent must submit a written request to the student's principal to begin the grade acceleration process.  Requests must be submitted no later than May 1 of the current academic school year. 

  2. A meeting must be held with your student’s teacher(s), a school psychologist, building administrator, and district administrator. 

  3. Once the parent/guardian has attended this required meeting and understands the recommendation of the district, the parent/guardian must obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).

The IEE must be submitted to the principal no later than:
June 6 for a June 13, 2025 decision, or

August 8 for an August 15, 2025 decision.
Extensions will not be granted.

  1. Upon receipt of the IEE, an advisory committee including a school psychologist, building administrator, and district administration will review a body of evidence to include the IEE, historical school records, and other information (e.g., observational narratives) to determine the outcome of the whole-grade acceleration request. The decision of the committee is final, and no appeals will be reviewed or granted.

  2. If approved, the student will enter an Eight Week Provisional Status of whole-grade acceleration at the start of the school year. 

Request for Grade Acceleration Letter

Request for Grade Acceleration Form

Steps to Request a Grade Retention

If you choose to pursue grade retention, the following procedure applies:

  1. The parent must submit a written request to the student's principal to begin the grade retention process. Requests must be submitted no later than May 1 of the current academic school year.
  2. A meeting must be held with your child’s teacher(s), a school psychologist, building administrator, and district administrator. 
     

  3. Once the parent/guardian has attended this required meeting and understands the district's recommendation, the Light’s Retention Scale will be completed. 
     

  4. The school psychologist will guide the parent/guardian and teacher(s) in completing the Light’s Retention Scale.
     

  5. Upon completion of Light’s Retention Scale, an advisory committee including a school psychologist, building administrator, and district administration will review a body of evidence to include the results of the Light’sRetention Scale, historical school records, and other information (e.g., observational narratives) to determine the outcome of the grade retention request. The decision of the committee is final and no appeals will be reviewed or granted.

Request For Grade Retention Letter

Request for Grade Retention Form

Additional Information