The Department of Teaching and Learning oversees Language Arts and Math advanced academic services for students in grades 3 through 8. Advanced Academic services include both Challenge and Advanced classes.

Philosophy:

• The Advanced Academic Team does not subscribe to the outdated notion of giftedness.  Rather, the team identifies students who NEED a different curriculum. With all the data, we answer the primary question: “Does this student NEED a different curriculum above and beyond the core curriculum including classroom differentiation?” 
• The overarching goal is to match instruction with the students’ current levels of mastery in language arts and math. 
• All students are screened every year, and in order to be culturally responsive, the team reviews the screening and identification process to assure it's equitable.  Follow up procedures are in place to gather additional data when needed.  
• Identification of students for Challenge and Advanced classes is accomplished using a team approach so no decisions are made in isolation.