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Enrichment and Acceleration

Enrichment/Honors

Students are challenged academically through a range of programming beginning with QUEST and accelerated math in Grades 4 and 5 and honors level programming beginning in grade 6.

Screening

In Grade 3 all students will be screened to consider placement in accelerated math (a full grade acceleration) or Q.U.E.S.T., a once a week, half day pull out program in their fourth grade year.   Students who enter the district in the summer and students in district who score a Level 4 on their Grade 3 ELA or Math State Test or who demonstrate significant growth based on district assessments, may also be considered for accelerated math or QUEST in the following year.

Q.U.E.S.T (Question, Understand, Experiment, Share, Think)

QUEST was designed to meet the educational needs of fourth and fifth grade students who learn at a faster pace, absorb information with greater depth, have higher abstract reasoning skills and are creative and innovative thinkers. 
In QUEST, students are engaged in units of study that enhance the classroom curriculum via an inquiry-based approach to learning.  

More information can be found on the QUEST web page.

Critical Inquiry

Critical Inquiry is an enriched reading class offered to students in grade 6 who demonstrate well-above average reading, writing and reasoning skills. In addition to developing comprehension and thinking skills through the reading/analysis of complex text, students deliver speeches to the class and participate in Socratic discussions.

Acceleration

Students are challenged academically through a range of accelerated programming.

  • At the elementary level, students are screened for possible acceleration in mathematics for their fourth or fifth grade year.
  • At the middle school level, students may be identified for acceleration in math after grades 6 or 7. Accelerated programs for English and social studies begin at grade 7 and for science, art, and technology at grade 8.

The district has established a process to identify students for acceleration. Identification criteria include the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test), STAR Math, the TOMAGS (Test of Mathematical Abilities for Gifted Students), and the Gifted Rating Scale. Results of these data points are returned to the building level committees to determine appropriate programming.

Early Admission to Kindergarten

The district has a procedure whereby high ability children who are at least four years old, may apply to enter school early. Contact the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Curriculum and Assessment at 518-881-0640 for more information.