PCSSD Programs for Talented & Gifted
Discovery: Grades K-2
The Discovery curriculum is taught as WHOLE GROUP enrichment in all K-2 classrooms weekly by a certified Gifted and Talented Facilitator. The certified GT Facilitator maintains records (i.e. portfolio, skills checklist) to document student(s) actions/responses, which is considered long-term identification.
Alpha: Grade 3-5
Students can be referred by teachers, parents, peers, and students. A bi-racial screening committee consisting of an administrator, classroom teachers, a counselor, and a GT facilitator utilizes a case-study approach in selecting gifted students. Based on multiple criteria, a student profile is created for each child referred. School staff and placement committees receive training before the identification meeting. Information is provided on how to identify students from under-served sub-populations. This in-service is updated as needed with new information and research.
The curriculum designed for the Alpha program focuses on higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, research, analytical reading and writing, and enriched mathematics within unique lesson and unit studies.
In grades 3-5, identified gifted students participate in the Alpha program. Alpha is a program for elementary students who have been identified through a fair, equitable, and thorough placement process. Students are served by utilizing a pull-out model with 150 minutes weekly. The overall objective of the program is to improve research, thinking, and communication skills by providing a flexible curriculum that is qualitatively different. An appeal process allows parents to challenge the non-placement of their child in the program.
PAP Placement at Middle School Level
The Preparing for the Accelerated Pathway (PAP) courses are offered at all middle schools in the four core content areas at grades 6-8. They are more challenging than regular-level classes and will likely have rigorous homework and tests to help students prepare for the advanced level of Advanced Placement (AP®) courses. These courses are part of the daily instruction. Gifted and talented students receive differentiated services through PAP courses where teachers are trained to integrate differentiated instruction and provide academic challenges.
Within these classrooms, the identified gifted and advanced students will be given opportunities to complete advanced and innovative performances or products and exposure to various learning experiences, which may include out-of-school assignments.
PAP & Advanced Placement Courses at the High School Level
PAP and AP courses are offered at the high school level in the four core content areas and in Music, Art, and Computer Science in grades 9-12.
At the high school level, gifted and talented students receive differentiated services through Pre-AP, PAP, and AP courses where teachers are trained to integrate multiple instructional strategies and College Board curriculum in the Advanced Placement (AP®) courses.
High school opportunities for our 9th-12th grade identified students consist of Pre Advanced Placement, Preparing for the Accelerated Pathway, Advanced Placement, and concurrent college courses. In addition, students who complete their AP courses also take the end-of-course College Board AP exams. These students receive weighted credit and with a score of 3, 4, or 5 on these exams can receive college credit for the course which includes all college/universities in-state and defined college/universities out-of-state). Each AP teacher is required to create a syllabus approved by the College Board.
Spring 2024 AP Exams
Students must follow their home campus scheduled AP exam times. Plan for an early arrival to prevent not being allowed to take the exam. Students will need to report to the designated testing room assigned by AP staff.
Week 1
May 6 (Monday) morning | AP United States Government and Politics |
May 6 (Monday) afternoon | AP Chemistry |
May 7 (Tuesday) afternoon | AP Statistics |
May 8 (Wednesday) morning | AP English Literature and Composition |
May 8 (Wednesday) afternoon | AP Computer Science A |
May 9 (Thursday) morning | AP Environmental Science |
May 9 (Thursday) afternoon | AP Psychology |
May 10 (Friday) morning | AP United States History |
May 10 (Friday) afternoon | AP Spanish Literature and Culture |
Week 2
May 13 (Monday) morning | AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC |
May 13 (Monday) afternoon | AP Precalculus |
May 14 (Tuesday) morning | AP English Language and Composition |
May 15 (Wednesday) morning | AP World History: Modern |
May 15 (Wednesday) afternoon | AP Computer Science Principles, AP Music Theory |
May 16 (Thursday) morning | AP Spanish Language and Culture |
May 16 (Thursday) afternoon | AP Biology |
May 17 (Friday) morning | AP Physics: Algebra-Based |
Scholarships
Coolidge Scholarship (deadline January 18, 2024)