AG/Enrichment

Program

Shelby City Schools is in a constant effort to provide the best possible education for our students. We are always asking: "Are we doing all we possibly can to prepare our students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to be and do whatever they want to be and do when they graduate from Shelby High School?" Consistent focus on this question drives our decisions on program, personnel and resources.

Our most recent study has centered on our top-performing students. We currently have in place a program for Academically Gifted students in grades 2-8 and offer numerous Advanced Placement courses at Shelby High. Our graduates accrue many college credits from our AP courses and move on to do very well in college. But is our program demanding enough? Are our expectations high enough? Does our program motivate the best students to study hard?

With these questions, we began a study of programs known for producing top-notch graduates. We visited a number of schools and contacted nationally known, proven programs. We studied the International Baccalaureate Program and visited schools which offer that diploma; we visited Charlotte Country Day as an example of what a first-class private school offers; we discussed our interest with administrators from the College Board and visited high schools from their recommendations.

We learned from the IB program study that many of the components these programs pride themselves in are available in Shelby City Schools. We learned that the content of our AP courses was in many cases superior to what was observed in these schools. While looking at the schools using the College Board references, we determined that while we offer a large number of AP courses which earn our graduates many hours of college credit, we could do more to provide a readiness for those courses and to motivate more of our students to attempt challenging courses.

Many advantages exist for our students who participate in AP courses. Students learn about a subject in greater detail and develop the analytical and study skills that contribute to success at the college level. Students with AP experience are better prepared academically for college, often graduate with double majors, and are more likely to attend graduate school. The content of college-level material studied in high school requires students to be active participants in their learning and can provide the necessary motivation and confidence for their success in college.

We have expanded our AP offerings into a comprehensive AP Program to include opportunities at the elementary and middle school levels. This expansion will give motivated students the opportunity to try demanding coursework and will connect the instruction K-8 to the advanced curriculum at the high school

The new emphasis will enhance and expand what we now have by targeting students who are interested in making a commitment ot excellence. The plan will benefit all students as our teachers learn successful teaching techniques and curriculum empahses for all students.

Our teachers have begun the discussion accross grade spans, with the high school teachers and the middle school teachers discussing standards and expectations of high school academic programs and what constitutes adequate preparation to succeed. These teachers have plotted a program aimed at the acquisition of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that must be in place for excellent graduates. A team of 6-12 teachers have attended College Board training to help us establish an "English Vertical Team" which will involve K-12 planning for advanced curriculum. Other teams have been established to build the focused curriculum in all core curriculum areas.

At the elementary level, we began in August offering an extended format for our high-achieving students. Fourth and fifth grade students are offered the opportunity to enroll in a pre-AP math program. This program takes place after school one day a week for one hour. Students and teachers apply to be involved in the program. Students and parents commit to the program by agreeing to prioritize this weekly event through attendance, attitude and work ethic. Students accepted into the program are taught analytical skills, study skills and habits and pre-algebraic thinking through projects and activities. Teachers are trained in methods proven to develop these skills. Students will be evaluated constantly.

At the middle school level, an identified group of high achievers will be prepared to go directly into Honors Algebra II in the ninth grade. In the three years at the middle school, these students will complete a curriculum that encompasses four math courses--middle school math, pre-algebra, algebra I, and geometry. Students may use an elective period for more math time, or time before or after school is utilized. The identified group may not be required to take physical educationand may fulfill the technology requirement if they demonstrate competence with the skills needed to meet the state computer requirement. We hope to offer a keyboarding course this summer to help with this accomplishment. In the initial year, we will learn strategies to help accelerate the learning without increasing the amount of extended time needed. In the future, a talented group of students may be able to move at a rate that can be handled within the school day.

In communications, students will be accelerated through their class assignment. In social studies and science, a great deal of vertical discussion is occuring between the high school and middle school subject area teams. Teachers will align what is taught to prepare students to move easily into advanced courses. Government will be emphasized in social studies; physical science will receive increased emphasis. Sixth graders will be accelerated within the grade level through grouping and regrouping; seventh and eighth graders will have an accelerated group placement.

The school day at Shelby Middle School has been extended from 8:00-3:00. The health curriculum will be integrated into the other curriculum allowing more time in each period.

Placement into the pre-AP program at the involve a contract between the student, the parents and the school.

At Shelby High School, the following AP courses are offered: Art, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, US History, Calculus, European History, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, French, Latin, and Statistics. Each course has recommended prerequisites, but students who accept the rigor of the course may enroll. Depending on the student's achievement, numerous hours of college credit can be obtained.

This comprehensive K-12 AP program will provide students many opportunities to give full effort for college preparation. It will take a commitment from the students and their parents in order to take advantage of the rigorous course of study. Identified students will be expected to accept this challenge; students who wish to meet the challenge this program will offer may choose to enroll with parent support. Standards and expectations will remain high throughout the program.

It is important to remember that this is an additional opportunity for our students. We will continue the sequence that results in students completing Algebra I at the Middle School in the eighth grade and moving to the high school with the full range of AP courses available to them.

For addtional infomation contact:

Shelby City Schools

315 Patton Drive

Shelby, NC 28150

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