Exams for Acceleration, as stipulated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) are available annually to all students enrolled in RISD. The successful completion of these exams in elementary school allows a student to be accelerated, thereby "skipping" the next grade. For example, if a student finished first grade and took and successfully completed second grade Exams for Acceleration in the summer, the student would qualify to enter the third grade the next school year. These exams, therefore, are quite rigorous as the student's appropriate placement has far reaching educational implications.

In the elementary grades, students must score at or above the 90th percentile (as stipulated by the TEA) on district administered tests that cover the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills requirements in all four of the core subjects: language arts, math science, and social studies. In kindergarten, the test only covers language arts and math.

In secondary school, grades six through twelve, students may take an Exam for Acceleration in one or more courses. The student must make a grade of 90 percent (as stipulated by the TEA) in order to receive credit for that course. See the Secondary Program of Studies for additional details.

Should any student be accelerated into a course offered only at another building, it is the parents'/guardians' responsibility to provide transportation.