ETHS Class Placement Criterion

Hello 8th Grade Families:

Please note that ETHS has recently updated their placement criteria. That information can be found here. In summary, placement testing helps ETHS understand your student's academic strengths and ensures they are enrolled in the courses best suited for their success in English, History, Math, Biology, and World Languages (if applicable).

• Testing: All incoming 9th graders must complete placement testing (using iReady Math and STAR Reading) before starting at ETHS.

• Testing Locations:

  • District 65 Students: Testing takes place directly at Nichols via iReady and STAR

  • Non-District 65 Students: Testing will be completed at ETHS. Information will be sent during the enrollment process.

• Course Placements: Results—along with current course performance and junior high completion—are used to determine freshman classes. Course placements will be shared with families prior to Course Request Night.

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score of 1090 or above will be placed in 1 Humanities English and 1 Humanities History.

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score between 1049–1089 will be placed in 1 Humanities English, 1 Humanities History, and Freshman Reading.

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score of 1048 or below will be placed in 1 Humanities English with Support, 1 Humanities History with Support, and Reading Support.

• Completion of Algebra, iReady score = 510 or higher -> Geometry Pathway to Honors placement
  • With this placement, students can choose to take Geometry (1 block period), Geometry in Construction (2 block periods), Introduction to Engineering Design & Geometry (2 block periods), or can add Geometry Support (1 additional block period).
    
• Completion of Algebra, iReady score = 470-509 and Any Math -> 1 Algebra Pathway to Honors placement
  • With this placement, students can choose to take 1 Algebra (1 block period), Algebra in Entrepreneurship (2 block periods), or Algebra in Coding (1 block period).
    
• Completion of Algebra, iReady score = 469 or lower and Any Math -> Pre-Algebra placement

Students currently taking Geometry or Advanced Geometry Honors (ETHS and Middle School):

• Completion of Geometry, iReady score 510 or higher → Advanced 2 Algebra Honors placement

Students currently taking ALEKS Geometry and Algebra (District 65 only):

Completion of ALEKS Geometry by May 21, iReady score = 560 or higher -> Advanced 2 Algebra Honors placement

Completion of ALEKS Geometry by May 21, iReady score = 559 or lower -> Geometry Pathway to Honors placement

Students currently taking Advanced 2 Algebra Honors (ETHS):

• iReady score = 560 or higher and Teacher Recommendation -> AP Precalculus (MA0525) placement

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score of 1090 or above may elect to take Biology.

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score between 1049–1089 will be placed in Freshman Reading.

• Students with a STAR Reading scale score of 1048 or below will be placed in Reading Support.

AVID, ELEAD, and DSTM are selective, specialized academic programs. The selection and placement process for each program includes grades (or other indicators of academic progress), teacher recommendations, and standardized test data.

Each program outlines specific student eligibility criteria, application process (where required) and expectations for students admitted to each program.
Program coordinators utilize student criteria in collaboration with the ETHS Placement Team to determine final program eligibility.

Questions should be directed to AVID, E/LEAD, or DSTM Coordinators.