Once students are identified for services, they will receive services until they graduate high school.The service model might change, however. Additionally, ESD may have students retest to ensure the particular service model being provided is appropriate. For example, any student who is identified in kindergarten or first grade will be tested as a second grader to determine which third grade service model is most appropriate.
Elementary School Programs
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: Discovery: Discovery is a 30-40 min per week pull-out program.The Discovery teacher pulls students by grade level to focus on critical thinking, problem solving, puzzles, and challenging activities.
3rd - 5th Grade: Challenge: Challenge is a 1-day per week pull-out program. Students are bused from their home school to where they attend class with peers from other elementary schools. Buses return to the home school at the end of the school day. While at Challenge students focus on lessons and projects that require critical thinking. Students participate in creative problem solving through performance projects, puzzles, mind –benders, and class activities. In addition, both fiction and research writing are emphasized.
Differentiation in Classroom (K-5): Students receive differentiation in the classroom setting and/or advancement in the core subjects
Middle School Programs
Student programs include one or both of the following programs.
Highly Capable Advisory (Grades 6-8): Every student has an advisory class, but Highly Capable kids are assigned to a uniquely highly capable advisory class. This allows them to focus on the particular needs of highly capable students and engage in projects and activities aligned with highly capable needs.
Advanced Social Studies (Grades 6-8): Highly Capable students are automatically enrolled in the Advanced Social Studies classes. Students work with similar topics as other classes, but at more depth and faster pace. Integrated projects are often included in these courses.
Advanced Math: Advanced Math: Students are placed in above grade-level mathematics for all who qualify in the area of mathematics and meet current academic achievement standards in math.
High School Programs
Student programs include the following. Students work with counselor and advisor to develop their 4-year plan for course of study.
HIghly Capable Advisory/CCR (Grades 9-12): Every student has an advisory class, but students identified for highly capable services are assigned to a uniquely highly capable advisory class. This allows them to focus on the particular needs of highly capable students and engage in projects and activities aligned with highly capable needs.
Advanced Placement (Grades 9-12): Advanced Placement (AP CollegeBoard) courses give students access to rigorous college-level work. AP students build confidence and learn the essential time management and study skills needed for college and career success. AP courses provide the opportunity to dig deeper into subjects that interest them, develop advanced research and communication skills, and learn to tap their creative, problem-solving, and analytical potential. AP courses are available in multiple subjects in grades 11-12 (additional AP social studies course available in 10th grade) for all students meeting the prerequisites. These courses prepare students for AP exams.
Advanced Math (Grades 9-12): Students are placed in above grade-level mathematics for all who qualify in the area of mathematics.
Running Start (Grades 11-12): Running Start is intended to provide students a program option consisting of attendance at certain institutions of higher education and the simultaneous earning of high school and college/university credit. Running Start Students and their families do not pay tuition, but they do pay college fees and buy their own books, as well as provide their own transportation. Students receive both high school and college credit for these classes and therefore accelerate their progress through the education system.
