RATIONALE
The Scholars Academy will begin in the 2017-2018 for rising freshmen and will grow with the first class, who will graduate in 2021. These students are invited into the program based on exceptional MAPS scores, PSAT scores, and teacher recommendations. They will be enrolled in honors and AP courses throughout their high school years, culminating in internship and apprenticeship opportunities in their senior year.
The defining curricular feature of the Scholars Academy is the Honors Seminar in which the cohort will participate each year. Each grade will have a different focus for the seminar, but they will be cumulative and lead to a final student-led research essay, community-based project, and board presentation--similar to an honors thesis on a college campus.
CURRICULUM MODEL
The Scholars Academy curriculum model is a combination of the Oliva Model and the Integrated Curriculum Model by Joyce VanTassel-Baska. Oliva's model provides the total function of the curriculum, from planning to evaluation, and VanTassel-Baska's model guides classroom planning and instruction. The curriculum planning committee has identified the needs and has worked to specify curriculum goals and objectives through the Oliva Model. VanTassel-Baska provides teachers with a way to organize their instruction in a way so that it is cohesive and challenging to the intellectually curious students. The first dimension of concepts, issues, and themes encourages teachers and students to organize instruction based on an overarching theme; it helps to focus on the connections between ideas and disciplines. The second dimension, advanced content, focuses on providing students with an accelerated pace and deeper learning. The last is the process-product dimension, which allows students to connect the content to a personally-selected topic and students will develop research from a PBL or IBL perspective. You may read more about VanTassel-Baska's model through the College of William and Mary here.
STUDENT GOALS:
CURRICULUM GOALS:
CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES:
CURRICULUM ASSESSMENTS:
The Scholars Academy will use the PSAT, AP exams, the ACT, and the senior board presentation as the primary assessments of success.
CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION
YPA started preparing for the Scholars Academy in January 2017 for an initial freshman class in August 2017. Working through the Curriculum Planning Committee, a four-year course of study was established, along with a brand new course, the Honors Seminar. Scholars Academy students will be integrated into the general population of the school in the majority of their courses; this will help to eliminate any feelings of special treatment or elite status. An Honors Geometry class will be comprised of both honors-track and Scholars Academy students. The Director of the Scholars Academy will teach the Honors Seminars and will keep a close eye on curriculum alignment, seeking opportunities for interdisciplinary work through the Seminar.
The Scholars Academy will begin in the 2017-2018 for rising freshmen and will grow with the first class, who will graduate in 2021. These students are invited into the program based on exceptional MAPS scores, PSAT scores, and teacher recommendations. They will be enrolled in honors and AP courses throughout their high school years, culminating in internship and apprenticeship opportunities in their senior year.
The defining curricular feature of the Scholars Academy is the Honors Seminar in which the cohort will participate each year. Each grade will have a different focus for the seminar, but they will be cumulative and lead to a final student-led research essay, community-based project, and board presentation--similar to an honors thesis on a college campus.
CURRICULUM MODEL
The Scholars Academy curriculum model is a combination of the Oliva Model and the Integrated Curriculum Model by Joyce VanTassel-Baska. Oliva's model provides the total function of the curriculum, from planning to evaluation, and VanTassel-Baska's model guides classroom planning and instruction. The curriculum planning committee has identified the needs and has worked to specify curriculum goals and objectives through the Oliva Model. VanTassel-Baska provides teachers with a way to organize their instruction in a way so that it is cohesive and challenging to the intellectually curious students. The first dimension of concepts, issues, and themes encourages teachers and students to organize instruction based on an overarching theme; it helps to focus on the connections between ideas and disciplines. The second dimension, advanced content, focuses on providing students with an accelerated pace and deeper learning. The last is the process-product dimension, which allows students to connect the content to a personally-selected topic and students will develop research from a PBL or IBL perspective. You may read more about VanTassel-Baska's model through the College of William and Mary here.
STUDENT GOALS:
- Students will collaborate with others.
- Students will be creative.
- Students will be critical thinkers.
- Students will be citizens of the learning environment.
- Students will communicate effectively.
- Students will maintain high standards of character.
CURRICULUM GOALS:
- Complete all course work at the honors level
- Take a minimum of 4 AP courses and 2 Dual Enrollment courses (over four years)
- Complete at least 20 hours of community service each year
- Participate in the honors seminar each year, culminating in a senior thesis project that extends learning into the community
- to exceed the expectations for a South Carolina High School graduate (profile here)
CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES and OUTCOMES:
- 100% of Scholars Academy students will achieve the designation of AP Scholar (3 or more AP exams with a score of three or better).
- 100% of Scholars Academy students will complete the community service minimum expectation of 20 hours a year.
- 90% of Scholars Academy students will achieve a composite score of 25 or better on the ACT by the end of their junior year.
CURRICULUM ASSESSMENTS:
The Scholars Academy will use the PSAT, AP exams, the ACT, and the senior board presentation as the primary assessments of success.
- Given that this is a four year program, the annual assessment is an informal discussion of overall success among stakeholders: the curriculum planning committee, teachers, students, and parents. A formal assessment in five year increments.
- Students and parents will complete annual surveys to gather research on their perspectives of the program.
CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION
YPA started preparing for the Scholars Academy in January 2017 for an initial freshman class in August 2017. Working through the Curriculum Planning Committee, a four-year course of study was established, along with a brand new course, the Honors Seminar. Scholars Academy students will be integrated into the general population of the school in the majority of their courses; this will help to eliminate any feelings of special treatment or elite status. An Honors Geometry class will be comprised of both honors-track and Scholars Academy students. The Director of the Scholars Academy will teach the Honors Seminars and will keep a close eye on curriculum alignment, seeking opportunities for interdisciplinary work through the Seminar.