While grade skipping and acceleration are often lumped together as one and the same, they’re not.  This is a huge misconception.  Grade skipping refers to a child who actually skips an entire grade for one, multiple or all subjects.  Acceleration, though often confused with grade skipping, is more equivalent to grade compacting.  For example, if a child completes mathematics grades 3 and 4 during a single year, that would be acceleration.  

Gifted students should demonstrate mastery of above grade level material to be eligible for grade skipping.  Eligibility for grade skipping varies by school, and very few schools provide parents with clear guidelines for eligibility.  Instead, grade skipping is typically evaluated on a case by case basis.  Gifted and talented students may find it necessary to skip an additional grade (or several) later on as gifted children typically learn new material faster than their peers.  

Acceleration allows gifted students to cover more material in less time.  Other than accelerated math, few schools offer accelerated courses. Students may be able to accelerate in a given subject through independent study.  At HEROES Academy, we offer accelerated classes that allow students to cover 1.5 to 2 years of curriculum in a one-year course that meets 36 times.