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Math Path D Placement Test

What is Path D for Math?

Path D provides an additional acceleration option for students ready to skip Middle School Math and start Algebra 1. Historically, approximately 1.5% of ISD students qualify for Path D each year.

Who is eligible to test for Path D?

  • Path D is not a self-select option in the Issaquah School District.
  • Students must receive a minimum Winter i-Ready Math score in 5th grade to be eligible for testing into Pathway D for Math. 

Readiness Criteria

  • Students must score a 4.20 or higher on the winter i-Ready Math test to sign up for the Algebra 1 Readiness Assessment.
  • Interested eligible students must take and pass the Algebra 1 Readiness Assessment with a minimum 85%.
    • The assessment takes place in the ISD Administration Computer Lab on the 2nd floor.
    • The assessment is administered on a computer, paper and pencil are allowed, no calculators or outside assistance.
    • The assessment focuses on 8th grade pre-algebra standards which demonstrate student preparedness for the high school Algebra 1 coursework.
  • Details will be posted in the district bulletins and in Elementary School bulletins. 
  • Once a student has qualified for Path D, parents make the final determination of whether or not to accept that placement. During middle school registration, further information will be provided to families of students who qualify for Path D to help inform them of this decision.

Is Path D right for your student?

There are several factors for you to consider as you make this decision.

  • Learning loss: Skipping multiple math courses is not recommended for most students. Mathematical skills and thinking take time and repeated practice to develop. 
  • Pass rate: Historically, only about 1.5% of students pass the Path D placement test. The testing is limited to 90 minutes to ensure that students know the material and have procedural fluency.
  • Social considerations: As an 8th grader, your student will be placed in an Advanced Algebra 2 classroom with 9th – 12th graders. There are likely to be no other 8th graders in the class. This could cause some degree of social discomfort.
  • Math graduation requirements: District Policy requires three years of High School math taken in grades 9-12. A student’s middle school grades in Algebra 1, Advanced Geometry, and Advanced Algebra 2 do not qualify for the three years of high school math graduation requirement.
  • Transportation to high school in 8th grade: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Advanced Geometry at the middle school means you must provide transportation to the nearest high school for Algebra 2 for the entire 8th-grade year.
  • Course schedule in 8th grade: Taking Advanced Algebra 2 during the 8th grade year will affect your child’s middle school course schedule. ISD high schools do not follow the same bell schedule as the middle schools. On some days, classes meet for up to 2 hours, and on other days, they do not meet at all. You will need to work with the middle school counselor to coordinate schedules to minimize the impact on your child’s other courses at the middle school. 
  • Implications for high school coursework: By taking Math 2-3 in 6th grade, your child is already on a highly accelerated path that would allow them to reach the highest level of math that we offer in our high schools. Colleges do not like students to opt out of math in their senior year, so you should consider whether this extra acceleration is a benefit.
    • Skyline High School coursework: If your child is planning to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at Skyline High School, they will have to find an alternate math course (Statistics is recommended) in 9th grade as students are not allowed to enter the IB math pathway until grade 10.

 

Year Course following Path D Placement
6th Algebra 1
7th Advanced Geometry
8th Advanced Algebra 2 (at the local High School)
9th Pre-Calculus (CHS) or Statistics (SHS, if going into IB Math)
10th AP Calculus, Calculus (CHS) or begin IB Math (SHS)
11th Additional Math
12th    Additional Math

 

Eligible students can sign-up here: ISD MS Math Pathway - Algebra 1 Placement Test Sign Up 2026.

The sign up will be available from February 22nd through May 3rd, 2026. 

Testing details will be confirmed by May 6th, 2026. The Pathway D Placement test will be administered on the following dates, with a limited number of seats each day:

  • Tuesday, May 26th.
  • Monday, June 1st.
  • Tuesday, June 2nd.
  • Thursday, June 4th.

You may contact Lena Jones, Secondary Math Contact at: JonesL@issaquah.wednet.edu with questions.