Advanced Academics

INTERDISCIPLINARY (6-8)

• Service: Extra-Curricular Opportunities 
• Target Population: Any student
• Goal: Expand & broaden horizons; inspire & spark new interests; develop unique talent
• Structure: Interest-based; offered outside of the school day.
  • Elementary: Vex Robotics, Seasonal Community Ed Courses 
  • Middle School: Vex Robotics, Speech Team, Spring Musical, Seasonal Community Ed Courses
  • High School: Vex Robotics, Math League, Speech Team, Mock Trial , Music Ensembles, Drama, FFA, Seasonal Community Ed Courses

MATH (6-8)

• Service: Accelerated Math Pathway (Pre-Algebra 6, Algebra 7, and Intermediate Algebra 8)
• Target Population: 6th-8th grade students who demonstrate high performance in mathematics
• Goal: Engage students in math content a year earlier than typical; Prepare a cohort of students for upper level math and science at PHS
• Structure: Course-Based
• Identification: Standardized assessments (STAR, MCA), classroom performance; teacher observation; student interest/motivation

MATH (6)

• Service: SPARK STEM Conference
• Target Population: 6th grade students who have a special passion or interest in science, technology, engineering and/or math
• Goal: Encourage and inspire students to develop their interests and talents in scientific reasoning
• Structure: One-day, off-campus event; held at St. Cloud State University
• Identification: Application-style

MATH (7-8)

• Service: St. Cloud State University Math Contest
• Target Population: 7th-8th grade students who excel in their accelerated math courses
• Goal: Spur interest in mathematics; develop talent; interact with top students from other schools
• Structure: One-day event; held at St. Cloud State University; division competition
• Identification: Application-style

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (6-8)

• Service: Topic-Based Extension
• Target Population: 6th-8th grade students who need less practice with grade-level reading and writing skills
• Goal: Provide an extension on grade-level reading & writing topics with a focus on literary analysis
• Structure: Classroom-based; used in small group with classroom teacher
• Identification: Classroom performance and teacher observation; standardized assessments as needed

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (6)

• Service: Young Authors Young Artists Conference
• Target Population: 6th grade students who have a special passion or interest in writing
• Goal: Encourage and inspire students to develop their interests and talents in writing
• Structure: One-day, off-campus event; held at the College of St. Benedict
• Identification: Application-style

MATH (6-12)

• Service: Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Class
• Target Population: 6th-12 grade students who show exceptional math talent; the most advanced math thinkers; 2+ years above grade level
• Goal: Ensure optimal growth for the highly gifted math student; use alternative materials to promote complex thinking and develop talent; create a classroom culture which brings together intellectual peers to support each other
• Structure: Rostered course; specialized multi-age structure; replacement of grade-level math course; 50 minutes, 5 days/week
• Identification: Strong above-grade level trends in achievement tests (STAR, MCA); Ability testing in the top 1-3% (CogAT); advanced math ability shown in previous courses; case-by-base basis

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (6)

• Service: Strategic Classroom Placement
• Target Population: 6th grade students who show the ability to read, write, and think at an exceptional level
• Goal: Create a small learning community of intellectual peers who challenge and support each other during classroom activities
• Structure: Small group within class; District-curated materials designed for advanced readers and writers
• Identification: Standardized assessment data (STAR, MCA); ability testing (CogAT); teacher observation

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (7-8)

• Service: ELA+ Class
• Target Population: 7th-8th grade students who show the ability to read, write, and think at an exceptional level and have mastered all of their grade-level ELA standards
• Goal: Ensure optimal growth for the highly gifted reader and writer; use alternative materials to promote complex thinking and develop talent; create a classroom culture which brings together intellectual peers to support each other.
• Structure: Rostered course; specialized multi-age structure; replacement of grade-level ELA course; 50 minutes, 5 days/week.
• Identification: Strong above-grade level trends in achievement tests (STAR, MCA); Ability testing in the top 1-3% (CogAT); Advanced writing ability shown via portfolio/samples; case-by-base basis