Pre AP/IBHonors Academy (7-8)
Rancho Starbuck is Lowell Joint School District's only junior high school. They are continuously one of the highest achieving schools in the area and they have added additional programs to their already long list of academic curriculum to better serve students and help them develop passions. The Pre AP/IB Honors Academy program is for those students in Honors Math, Language Arts and Advanced Computer Science that are looking to achieve more and prepare themselves further for high school and beyond. Students in this program must apply and once in, must maintain a GPA of 3.8 or higher. The program requires students to research a topic of their choice about how they can make a difference in the world. They work under the guidance of their chosen mentor. This program stretches our students in the areas of public speaking, research, responsibility and synthesizing their research into an action plan. These students will finish the year with their capstone presentation where they showcase their hard work and great ideas!
The Conservatory is a program designed to support students’ various passions and interests. The Conservatory is split into three branches: STEM, Performing Arts, and Creative Arts. The STEM Conservatory is for students who have a strong interest in science, mathematics, or computer science. Students in the STEM conservatory will work with mentor teachers and use their math and science skills to solve real-world problems through research and invention. The Performing Arts Conservatory is meant to support students who have a passion for music, theater, and dance. These students will spend the year designing and creating their own shows to be performed live for an audience at the end of the year. The last branch is the Creative Arts Conservatory. This conservatory is designed for writers and artists. These students will work with mentor teachers to develop a portfolio they can take to high school. They will spend the year developing their writing skills or artist skills through various genres and mediums. All conservatory work will be completed after school throughout the year; therefore, it is for students who are dedicated to their specialties and want to develop their skills outside the classroom!