REACH Eligibility

D205's rigorous curriculum ensures that students are challenged in all of their courses. Students who are identified for REACH consistently demonstrate above grade-level performance across multiple metrics. In Mathematics, REACH students are expected to earn high grades in coursework that is two or more grade levels above their actual grade level, culminating in AP Calculus BC in 11th grade, and Calculus III in the senior year of high school. In English language arts, REACH students are expected to earn high grades in coursework that is one or more grade levels accelerated, and culminates in a robust high school experience of Advanced Placement and honors courses in the language arts, humanities, and social sciences A student earning a high grade in a particular course or wanting more challenge does not necessarily indicate that the student would benefit from REACH placement; in most cases, a high grade is indicative of appropriate placement and strong success in the current course

A D205 Elementary Classroom

Initial Identification

The REACH identification process occurs in both 2nd and 5th grade, and consists of a review of achievement data, cognitive assessment data, and teacher rating scales based on student performance in the classroom.

Each school year, both second and fifth grade students take the CogAT and MAP assessments and are reviewed for REACH placement the following school year. 

CogAT is the Cognitive Ability Assessment. More information about CogAT can be found here in English or Spanish.

The REACH Initial Identification Guidelines will be used along with the metrics above to determine placement.

Appeals

Recognizing that students mature and grow at different rates, and a change in placement may be warranted later in a student's academic career after 2nd or 5th grade, D205 implements an appeals process for re-evaluating students based on additional test data.

Parents, teachers, or administrators may submit an application for REACH Appeal. Appeals are considered and reviewed each Spring for identification and placement beginning in the next school year.

If you are interested in applying for an appeal for your student for the 2025 - 2026 school year, please complete this form (opening February 3, 2025 at 8:00am)  by March 7, 2025.

Appeals reviews include a review of additional student standardized assessment data, as well as teacher and school leader evaluations. In some cases, it may be necessary to schedule and conduct additional testing, and families will be notified if this is the case. The complete placement rubrics for the 2025-2026 appeals window are linked below:

Grade 2 Appeal Guidelines

Grade 5 Appeal Guidelines

Grade 3, 4, 6, 7 Appeal Guidelines

Transfer Students

Families who are new to District 205 may request that their child's information and data be reviewed for placement in REACH ELA and/or Math. Placement guidelines are contained here: New-to-District Student Placement Guidelines.

In most cases, we can evaluate students' eligiblity for REACH using assessment data provided by the previous school. f your child does not have standardized assessment results from the last 12 months to submit for REACH placement consideration, D205 offers new-to-district families the opportunity to take MAP and/or CogAT during the summer.

Contact Amy Baker Zaleski  for additional information if needed.