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Advanced Learning

Vikki Glover

Coordinator of Gifted & Advanced Learning


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Lisa Batiste

Administrative Assistant II


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Shakeerah Brodie

Academic Content Lead, Gifted & Advanced Learning


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What do students learn in Advanced Learning courses?


Advanced Learning Courses: A Comprehensive Exploration


  • In-depth Subject Mastery: Courses are meticulously designed to offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of various subjects, ensuring that students don't just learn but master the content comprehensively.

  • Critical and Analytical Thinking: Emphasis is placed on cultivating students' ability to think critically and analytically, enabling them to navigate complex problems with precision and insight.

  • Sophisticated Research Skills: Advanced Learning courses foster robust research skills, guiding students through methodological rigor and promoting scholarly inquiry.

  • Effective Academic Communication: Students are encouraged to hone their academic communication skills, ensuring they can articulate their understanding and insights clearly and effectively.

  • Global and Cultural Awareness: These courses promote a broader worldview, fostering global and cultural awareness and allowing students to appreciate diversity and different perspectives.

  • Technological Proficiency and Application: Students are prepared for the modern world with essential technology skills, promoting digital literacy and the effective use of technology in various academic pursuits.

  • Enhanced Creativity and Innovation: Courses stimulate creativity and innovation, encouraging students to explore new ideas and approach problems with a fresh perspective.

  • Leadership and Collaborative Learning: An environment that nurtures leadership qualities and fosters a spirit of collaboration, ensuring that students are prepared to work effectively in various settings.

  • Ethical Awareness and Social Responsibility: A grounding in ethics ensures students are academically proficient, socially responsible, and conscientious citizens.

  • Customized Learning Paths: Recognizing the unique potentials of each student, courses allow for tailored learning paths that cater to individual strengths and interests.


Advanced Learning courses are not just about conventional learning; they represent a holistic approach to education, preparing students to be competent, ethical, and enlightened members of society, equipped with the skills necessary for success in various fields.


What can a parent or guardian do at home to support their child's learning in Advanced/Accelerated courses?


Supporting a child enrolled in Advanced/Accelerated courses requires a multifaceted approach that blends academic encouragement, emotional support, and fostering a conducive learning environment. Here's a detailed guide for parents and guardians:


Facilitate a Structured Study Environment

  • Dedicated Study Space: Ensure your child has a quiet, comfortable, and well-lit study space.

  • Routine & Structure: Help establish a consistent study schedule, balancing breaks and work sessions.


Provide Essential Resources

  • Advanced Learning Materials: Invest in supplementary books, journals, or online resources that complement the coursework.

  • Technological Tools: Ensure access to a reliable computer, specific software, and a stable internet connection for research and online learning.


Engage in Intellectual Conversations

  • Discussion & Debate: Engage your child in conversations about current events, course topics, or philosophical debates to sharpen their analytical and argumentative skills.

  • Open-Ended Questions: Encourage critical thinking by posing questions that don't have straightforward answers.


Emotional & Psychological Support

  • Acknowledge the Pressure: Recognize that advanced courses can be demanding. Offer empathy and understanding during challenging times.

  • Stress Management: Introduce relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices, or even encourage physical activity to help manage academic stress.


Foster Independent Learning

  • Encourage Self-Directed Projects: If your child expresses interest in a topic outside their coursework, support them in exploring it further.

  • Promote Time Management: Help them develop strategies to allocate time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and avoid procrastination.


Connect with Educators

  • Regular Check-ins: Periodically communicate with teachers to understand your child's progress, strengths, and areas that might need support.

  • Participate in School Events: Attend parent-teacher conferences, seminars, or workshops on advanced learning.


Encourage Real-world Application

  • Field Trips: Visits to museums, laboratories, or historical sites can offer practical insights into theoretical concepts.

  • Daily Life Applications: Relate advanced course topics to everyday situations, emphasizing their relevance and utility.


Support Social and Extracurricular Activities

  • Balance: While academics are crucial, ensure your child is also involved in recreational activities, hobbies, or social events.

  • Academic Clubs & Competitions: Encourage participation in quiz bowls, science fairs, debate clubs, or math olympiads to nurture their talents.


Celebrate Achievements, Big or Small

  • Positive Reinforcement: Commend effort, resilience, and achievements, fostering a positive attitude towards learning.

  • Constructive Feedback: Instead of focusing solely on grades, provide feedback emphasizing growth and understanding.


Stay Informed and Up-to-Date

  • Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the curriculum, teaching methodologies, and the latest trends in advanced education.

  • Network with Other Parents: Connect with parents of other advanced learners to share resources, experiences, and strategies.


Supporting a child in advanced/accelerated courses is about nurturing their intellectual curiosity while ensuring they remain balanced, confident, and resilient in the face of challenges. With the proper support, these students can thrive academically and personally.


What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. AP offers many course options for students from a wide array of interests and backgrounds to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum. Based on their performance on AP Exams, students can earn credit, advanced placement, or both for college. Participation in AP course and exams gives students the chance to get a head start on the sort of work they will encounter in college, and to demonstrate to colleges that they are ready for that challenge.


Why Take Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?

AP students learn essential time management and study skills needed for college and career success. They dig deeper into subjects that interest them and learn to tap their creativity and their problem-solving skills to address course challenges.


Students who take AP courses send a signal to colleges that they’re serious about education and willing to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework.

Research shows that students who receive a score of 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers.


Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time—which means they avoid paying for, for example, a fifth year of tuition.



What courses can I take in AP?


CCPS offers approximately 26 of the 37 courses from College Board

Contact your school counselor for a list of the courses offered at your high school


AP Central: explore AP Courses including information about each course, classroom resources, exam practice


What is available to enrich student learning in Advanced Learning?


PSAT

The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is a standardized test that helps prepare students to take the SAT. Clayton County Public School students take this test every October. 


Contact your school counselor for more information.


PSAT 8/9: Students in grades 8 and 9 take the PSAT 8/9

PSAT NMSQT: (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) - Students who score high on the PSAT NMSQT may win scholarship money. Students in grades 10th and 11th grade take the PSAT NMSQT.


SAT


The SAT measures a high school student's readiness for college.  For more information contact your school counselor to sign up to take the SAT.


Free SAT Practice from Khan Academy



ACT


The ACT measures a high school student's readiness for college.  For more information contact your school counselor to sign up to take the ACT.  Free Support for the ACT - ACT Academy


Governor’s Honors Program


Cambridge Assessment


Additional Resources:


What other departments or programs support student learning in Advanced Learning?


  • Math Department

  • English/Language Arts Department

  • Science Department

  • Social Studies Department

  • World Languages Department

  • Counseling Department