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Kindergarten Grade Acceleration Procedures

Kindergarten Acceleration – Credit by Exam

Most children are best placed in a grade level with students their own age. However, some kindergarten-age students may have already mastered the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten and may be ready to move to first grade.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD offers kindergarten acceleration through the Credit by Exam (CBE) process for eligible students.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for acceleration from kindergarten to first grade:

  • The student must be registered in an EMS ISD campus no later than the last day of May.
  • The student must be enrolled in an EMS ISD school.
  • The student must be 5 years old on or before September 1st.
  • A parent/guardian must request testing for placement.
  • The student must score at least 80% on each of the four (4) required subject exams:
    • English Language Arts – Reading
    • Mathematics
    • Science
    • Social Studies

Testing to skip a grade level is offered during the district’s summer Credit by Exam sessions only. Acceleration decisions consider the child’s academic readiness as well as social, emotional, and behavioral development.

 

Prior to Testing

  • The following documentation is required:
    • Copy of the student’s birth certificate
    • Proof of residency
    • Completed Credit by Exam application and deposit
    • Meet district deadlines

Deposit Information

  • $25 cash-only deposit per subject exam is required at the time of application.
  • Total deposit per grade level: $100.
  • The deposit will be returned if the student tests as scheduled, regardless of the test outcome.
  • The deposit will be forfeited if the student does not attend the scheduled testing session (no-show).

Application Information

Testing Dates and Application Deadlines

Testing Window Application Deadline Test Date(s)
Summer

April 17, 2026

 June 2 - 3, 2026
Summer May 15, 2026 July 14 - 15, 2026

 

Application and Testing Process

  • Complete the Credit by Exam Application by the posted district deadline.
  • Submit the application and the deposit to the student’s home campus.
  • Testing takes place during the district’s summer Credit by Exam window.
  • Parents will receive written notice of the date, time, and location of testing.
  • On the assigned test date, the parent/guardian must sign the student in at the campus office.

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Application