This information was produced by the staff of the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (B-BC) at the University of Iowa (belinblank.org). The resources and information listed here are for informational purposes; there is no direct or implied endorsement by the B-BC. Services provided by the B-BC include programs for academically talented K-12 and college students, professional development for teachers, the Assessment and Counseling Clinic, the Acceleration Institute (accelerationinstitute.org), and graduate programs and research in gifted education.

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State Policies in New Hampshire  

New Hampshire does not have a state policy on acceleration. Local education agencies (LEAs) determine whether and to what extent acceleration is permitted.

Grade-based Acceleration

Early entrance to kindergarten

State policy leaves LEA to determine whether early entrance to kindergarten is permitted. Kindergarten enrollment cut-off dates in NH range from August 15th to December 31st.

Early entrance to 1st gradeIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Whole-grade accelerationIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.
Early high school graduationThe Alternative Pathways To High School Graduation brief contains information on graduation requirements and non-traditional progressions, including demonstration of mastery. More information on the procedures for demonstrating mastery can be found in the Competency Assessment of Student Mastery brief.
Early entrance to collegeIf you know where to find this information, please e-mail us.

Content-based Acceleration

Dual or concurrent enrollment in community college, college, or university

State policy specifically permits dual enrollment in high school and college. Each LEA is responsible for determining the earliest grade/age permitted to dual enroll, and state policy specifically allows students to receive high school credit for college courses.

Running Start is the dual enrollment/dual credit/concurrent enrollment program offered by the Community College System of NH (CCSNH). Southern New Hampshire University also offers a dual enrollment program, SNHU in the High School, for qualified high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors,

Middle school students permitted dual or concurrent enrollment in high school

No state policy; up to LEA to determine whether dual enrollment in middle school and high school is allowed and whether high school graduation credit is awarded for courses taken in middle school.
Advanced Placement®State policy permits.
Talent Search

There is no in-state Talent Search for New Hampshire, but gifted students in NH can participate in regional and national talent searches, including those offered by the University of Iowa Belin-Blank Center and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Credit by examination/proficiency-based promotion

State policy specifically permits proficiency-based promotion, and allows students to receive graduation credit for proficiency. Each LEA is responsible for determining methods of demonstrating proficiency and advancement options after proficiency.
Other forms of content-based acceleration

Typically left to LEAs to determine. If you know of state-level code, please e-mail us.

Additional Information


New Hampshire Department of Education
New Hampshire Association for Gifted Education

The information presented on this page was compiled from a variety of resources, including the State of the States in Gifted Education 2018-2019 (a report by the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted and the National Association for Gifted Children), Websites, professional literature, and personal communication. The Acceleration Institute has not verified the accuracy of this information and does not warrant its accuracy or fitness of use for any purpose. Users should verify information prior to taking any action. Furthermore, the appearance of selected programs and/or resources does not imply an endorsement or affiliation. Programs and resources are highlighted for informational purposes only.