The three criteria
| Criterion | Algebra I in 7th grade (all 3 required) | Algebra I in 8th grade (2 of 3 required) |
|---|---|---|
| Report card grades | An A- or better on 3 of the 4 quarter report cards in 6th grade | An A- or better on 3 of the 4 quarter report cards in 7th grade |
| Medea Creek Algebra Readiness test, which covers pre-algebra concepts | 85% or higher | 85% or higher |
| MDTP, the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project's algebra-readiness test | 85% or higher | 80% or higher |
The criteria are in Exhibit 1 to the district's math placement policy, Board Policy 6152.1 (Exhibit 1; adopted October 13, 2022 and last amended January 30, 2025), linked from the district's Math Placement Policy page. A student who nearly meets the criteria may be admitted on a teacher's recommendation, made in consultation with the parent or guardian.
The policy applies at Medea Creek Middle School, Oak Park's middle school. Students arrive there from Oak Park's three elementary schools (Medea Creek enrollment), Brookside, Oak Hills and Red Oak.
The math sequence at Medea Creek
"All 6th-grade students entering MCMS will be placed in 6th-grade Math," the policy says, so no one is accelerated at the start of 6th grade. From 7th grade there are three pathways, and students can move between them (Math Information Night, September 29, 2026):
| Pathway | 6th grade | 7th grade | 8th grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade level | Math 6 | Pre-Algebra (grade 7 standards) | Algebra Introductions (grade 8 standards; Medea Creek's math page calls it Algebra Intro), then Algebra I in 9th grade |
| Accelerated Pathway 1 | Math 6 | Pre-Algebra | Algebra I |
| Accelerated Pathway 2 | Math 6 | Algebra I | Geometry |
To move on to Geometry in 8th grade, a 7th grader in Algebra I needs at least 70% in each quarter.
How many students take Algebra I early
The district's September 29, 2026 presentation says that historically about 15–20% of 6th graders and 30–40% of 7th graders move on to Algebra I. This year, about 20% of 7th graders and 35% of 8th graders are in Algebra I. In other words, the grade-level pathway is the most common one.
Testing, decisions and appeals
- Testing: the Algebra Readiness test and the MDTP are given in March or April of 6th grade, and again in March or April of 7th grade for students aiming for Algebra I in 8th. The district hasn't published exact dates for 2027.
- Re-evaluation: the school re-evaluates math placements within the first month of the school year.
- Appeals, grades 7–8: a student and parent can appeal a placement to the principal within 10 school days of the decision. If the principal upholds it, a parent can sign a waiver requesting the next course in the sequence and accept responsibility for that placement.
- Information night: the 2026–27 Math Information Night was on September 29, 2026, and the district posted a recording at www.opusd.org/MathInformationWebinar.
The quarter grades matter as much as the tests: three of the four 6th-grade report cards need an A-. Medea Creek's 2026–27 quarters end October 9, December 18, March 12 and May 27 (district events sheet). The skills the tests build on are in the Algebra 1 readiness guide.
Thousand Acorns Tutoring does not offer placement exam prep. This guide explains the district's published rules.
Questions parents ask
Can a 6th grader take Algebra I in Oak Park Unified?
No. Every incoming 6th grader at Medea Creek takes 6th-grade Math. The earliest Algebra I is in 7th grade, for students who meet all three criteria.
What MDTP score is needed for Algebra I?
85% or higher for Algebra I in 7th grade, where all three criteria are required. For Algebra I in 8th grade, the MDTP bar is 80%, and a student needs 2 of the 3 criteria.
When are Oak Park's algebra placement tests?
In March or April of 6th grade for 7th-grade Algebra I, and of 7th grade for 8th-grade Algebra I. As of October 13, 2026, the district hasn't published exact 2027 dates.
Can we appeal a math placement?
Yes. For grades 7–8, a student and parent can appeal to the principal within 10 school days of the placement decision. If the principal upholds it, a parent can sign a waiver requesting the next course in the sequence and accept responsibility for that placement.
What if my child just misses the criteria?
The policy lets a student who nearly meets the criteria be admitted on a teacher's recommendation, made in consultation with the parent.
Sources
- Medea Creek Middle School: Mathematics at MCMS, opened October 13, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- OPUSD Math Placement Policy, page published September 30, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- OPUSD Exhibit 1 to Board Policy 6152.1: placement in mathematics, grades 6–9, adopted October 13, 2022; amended March 19, 2024 and January 30, 2025. Opened October 13, 2026.
- Medea Creek and Oak Park High Math Information Night, September 29, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- OPUSD important event dates, 2026–27, last updated October 1, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- Medea Creek Middle School enrollment, undated. Opened October 13, 2026.
Thousand Acorns Tutoring is not affiliated with Oak Park Unified School District.