HIGH SCHOOL
GIFTED & ENRICHMENT
PROGRAM
ALPHA
The High School GT program is one part of NISD’s
ALPHA program. ALPHA, Advanced Learning Programs for High Achievers,
is an acronym
that labels the
NISD program across all grade levels. The program to service gifted students
aims to provide enrichment that stimulates talents and to provide an atmosphere
where students interact with their intellectual peers. The Enrichment Center
is one location on campus to give GT students a sense of community. At John Jay
and Science and Engineering Academy, we service GT students in the following
ways:
Middle School to High School Transition
Unlike the TIPS program in middle school, students are
not placed in gifted classes. There are no GT pull-out classes at the
high school
level. Instead, GT students
take honors classes during their 9th and 10th grade years and Advanced Placement
and/or Dual Credit classes during their 11th & 12th grade years. These rigorous
classes stimulate higher level thinking skills and provide gifted students opportunities
for academic advancement. These rigorous courses are also favored by college
admissions committees.
In the 2006-07 school year, John Jay is one of four NISD high school
campuses to offer a course specifically for GT Freshmen. This course
assists GT Freshmen
with the transition to high school. With the theme of Leadership, this course
provides:
• Academic test and college preparation (SAT,
ACT, PSAT preparation).
• Information for students and parents about beneficial high school services
to
assist with college preparation.
• Required speech class credit in the spring semester of the year-long
course.
• Opportunities to attend off-campus college tours and educational field-trips.
• Guest speakers.
• Opportunities to complete community service projects as tools for enriched,
experiential
learning.
Credit By Examination
Students who excel in a particular subject area may
opt to take Credit by Examination instead of the course itself. See
your child’s counselor
for details.
ISM: Independent Study Mentorship
The gifted program offers Independent Study
Mentorship Honors for Juniors & Seniors.
This class counts as an advanced measure for the advanced diploma,
and it can count for the required speech credit if the student opts
for this
choice. Applications
for ISM are accepted beginning in January for the following school
year.
Through this unique course, ISM students conduct a year-long,
in-depth
study of an area of special interest under the guidance of an expert
in that field.
The expert is usually a community professional who not only guides
the ISM student with content information but is also willing to advise
the
student
on college
and career goals. The student narrows his or her focus to an appropriate
area of study, does in depth research, and produces a real-world product,
and presents
the product and his or her ISM learning process to an audience at the
end of the year. The student can receive a speech credit for the second
semester
of
this course.
GT Seminars
Each GT student is encouraged to attend at least one
or two seminars during his or her high school career. Seminars are
located off-campus
and are
held about
four times a year, usually every nine weeks. These seminars cover a
myriad of topics such as leadership, the arts, law, medicine, environmental
issues, and
cultural / diversity issues. Attending students get involved in hands-on,
experiential learning and listen to presenters who deal with contemporary
issues provoking
a student’s curiosity and inquiry. Students may see Ms.
Asbell in A208 to sign-up to attend one or more of the seminars
offered during the
year. Attendance
is voluntary and the number of students who can attend each seminar
is restricted. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
You
will receive information
about upcoming seminars in the Fall and Spring newsletters as well
as from reminder post-cards prior to registration dates.
How to Register for Seminars:
1. Listen and Watch for the seminar registration announcement.
2. Go by The Enrichment Center, A-208, and pick up a registration
form.
3. Get the proper signatures.
4. Turn the form in to Ms. Asbell in A208 by the deadline.
5. Check the door at A-208 or the GT display case in the hall between
rooms A-208 and A-210 to see if you are on the list to attend.
The John Jay GT Enrichment program, the high school
ALPHA component, is over 310 students strong. We have a number of exciting
activities
planned
for the
year, so get out your calendar and mark these dates!
February 15, 2008
“
Art Around the World”
At the San Antonio Museum of Art, GT students will interact with presenters
to participate in hands-on creative activities that delve into artistic
topics from around the globe. For more information on seminar details,
contact Elaine Asbell at 397-2832.
GT Screening Information
Screening dates for the GT high school program are as
follows:
Nominations for GT testing (screening) are due to Ms. Asbell by October
29, 2007, and the testing window is November 27-30, 2007. Results will
be available in January. Any parent, teacher, friend or student may
nominate other students for screening. Students may nominate themselves,
also.
Parents or guardians must sign giving permission to
test, and if qualified, parent permission for admission into the GT
program is required.
GT News and Updates
Be sure to check the bulletin board in A208 for information
on summer programs and scholarship opportunities
for summer enrichment
programs
and study.
Also, you can pick up the ALPHA News, the NISD GT
newsletter, while you are perusing
the bulletin board. There is a GT display case between
A208 and A210.
