Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools (WJCC) is committed to providing all students with mathematics instruction that appropriately challenges them and supports their academic growth. Mathematics course acceleration allows students to engage in more rigorous coursework when they demonstrate readiness.
Automatic Enrollment in Advanced or Accelerated Mathematics
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Virginia law requires school divisions to automatically enroll certain students in advanced or accelerated mathematics courses.
Each spring, students’ end-of-year mathematics SOL performance in grades 5–8 will be reviewed. Students who score in the upper statewide quartile (top 25%) on the end-of-year Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Mathematics assessment will be automatically enrolled in an available advanced or accelerated mathematics course for the following school year. Additional division-level math performance data and teacher recommendations will also be considered when determining placement for students entering grades 6 through 9.
This placement is based on statewide and division criteria and is intended to ensure that students who demonstrate strong mathematics achievement are appropriately challenged. Parents and guardians will be notified annually if their child qualifies for automatic enrollment.
Parent/Guardian Choice
Families have the right to opt out of automatic enrollment. An opt-out form must be completed by the parent/guardian and submitted to the student’s school counselor prior to the first day of school. If an opt-out form is not submitted, the student will remain enrolled in the advanced mathematics course.
Advanced Mathematics Opt-Out Form
Additional information about mathematics acceleration pathways is available in our Program of Studies.
Mathematics Course Acceleration Through Testing and Review (Still Available)
The Virginia Department of Education states that when a student demonstrates mastery of course content through an end-of-course assessment, the student may be eligible for mathematics acceleration. In WJCC, multiple data points—including SOL scores, mathematics course performance, and teacher recommendations—are used to determine appropriate middle school mathematics placement. When available data does not clearly indicate readiness for acceleration, but a student shows strong interest in mathematics or demonstrates mathematical strengths in other ways, families may request mathematics acceleration testing as an additional pathway.
Math Acceleration Request Form
Families or teachers may submit a Math Acceleration Request Form to their school counseling office to begin the process.
Math Acceleration Test Format
- The end-of-course math assessment is a 50-question, free-response assessment aligned to the Virginia Standards of Learning.
- Students earn:
- 1 point for each correct answer
- 1 point for showing appropriate mathematical work
- Scoring and Placement:
- 80 points or higher: Student accelerates to the next course in the sequence
- 70–79 points: Student work is reviewed by the Secondary Mathematics Coordinator to determine if acceleration is appropriate
- 69 points or below: Student remains in the current course placement
Families are encouraged to visit the Virginia Department of Education Mathematics website and linked practice sites linked below to help prepare for the assessment.
| Subject | VDOE Curriculum Framework | Practice Site | Practice Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Algebra 6 | Math 6 | IXL 6 | AAA Math 6 |
| Pre-Algebra 7 | Math 7 | IXL 7 | AAA Math 7 |
| Pre-Algebra 8 | Math 8 | IXL 8 | AAA Math 8 |
Math Course Acceleration Process
To ensure that students do not miss essential content when accelerating into a new mathematics course, WJCC has established two testing periods each year for students seeking course acceleration. Each middle school offers one designated testing date during the first two weeks of the school year, and one designated testing date during the final month of the school year. For students who enroll in a WJCC school during the academic year, acceleration testing is available within two weeks of the student’s enrollment.
Process Steps:
- Family or teacher submits a Math Acceleration Request Form to the school counseling department of the middle school the student will attend.
- The Secondary Mathematics Coordinator or designee schedules and administers the assessment.
- The assessment is graded using a rubric.
- A performance report is shared with the family and the students’ home school.
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Toano Middle School | May 25, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| Lois S. Hornsby Middle School | May 26, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| Berkeley Middle School | May 27, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| James Blair Middle School | May 28, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| Toano Middle School | August 31, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| Lois S. Hornsby Middle School | September 1, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| Berkeley Middle School | September 2, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
| James Blair Middle School | September 3, 2027 | 8:45 – 11:00 a.m. |
Appeal Process
The mathematics course acceleration appeal process provides families with an opportunity to request a review of a student’s placement decision. This process ensures that additional data points and/or relevant situation information are carefully considered to determine the most appropriate mathematics course placement for the student.
- The individual who requested acceleration may submit an appeal after receiving results.
- A completed WJCC Mathematics Placement Appeal Process, along with supporting documentation, must be submitted to the Secondary Mathematics Coordinator.
- The Mathematics Acceleration Review Team will review all assessment data and documentation.
- The team’s decision is final and concludes the appeal process.
- Parents/guardians will be notified of the final decision within ten business days.
- Students may complete the acceleration and appeal process only once per school year.
