Frequently Asked Questions

What is Advanced Academic Services?
The AAS department provides support for the multi-faceted gifted education program: ACE, LEAP,  Advanced Placement (AP) and Pre Advanced Placement (Pre AP) classes,  UIL activities, Academic Decathlon, Creative Problem Solving, Invent America, Destination Imagination, and various other competitions that encourage academics.

What is ACE?
ACE stands for Academic Creative Education. This program is designed to meet the special educational needs of gifted students at their home school campuses.

What is LEAP?
LEAP, an acronym for Leading Exceptional Academic Producers, is a self-contained district-wide program for the exceptionally gifted child.

Why is a Special Program Necessary? Can’t These Students Learn in the Regular Class?
Research and the literature define and emphasize the considerable spectrum of needs and varying learning styles of gifted students. Due to many differences, they require a greater degree of differentiated instruction to be motivated and challenged than do mainsteam students. Exceptionally bright students also benefit from increased formalized time to interact with their intellectual peers.

In What Ways Are Their Learning Styles Different?
As a rule, gifted students tend to learn more quickly than their age peers. They are ready at an earlier age to develop skills in areas such as research, discussion, presentations, problem-solving, etc. They are more ready to see the interrelatedness of content, process, and product.

How are Students Identified for ACE?
A student may be referred for ACE by teachers, parents, administrators, counselors, students and other members of the community.  A referral may be made at the student's campus through the counselor's office. Transfer Students will be screened to determine if placement in the ACE program is appropriate.

How is Elementary ACE Organized?
ACE students in grades K-5 are served by classroom teachers who have been trained in the area of gifted education.  Students are cluster grouped to work with curriculum that is designed to present learning experiences that add depth, complexity and pacing and lead to advanced level products or performance.

How is the Elementary ACE Curriculum Differentiated?
It includes an exposure to ideas, materials, experiences, and resources not generally found in the regular district curriculum . Differentiated curriculum focuses on creative thinking, technology, discussion skills, self-evaluation, literature-based reading integrated with other subjects, thematic work and acceleration when appropriate.

How is ACE Organized in the Middle School?
ACE students at the middle school level are offered gifted instruction through special interdisciplinary seminar (IDS) gifted and talented classes.  Special seminars and field experiences are periodically planned for these middle school students.

How is the Curriculum for Middle School Differentiated?
In the ACE IDS class, instruction focuses on developing higher order thinking skills, problem-solving, interpretation of material, divergent thinking, independent study and research skills.

How is ACE Organized in the High School?
ACE students at the high school level are offered gifted instruction through  academies and Pre AP and AP classes.  Ninth grade students may be served through Global Experience class;  tenth grade students through World Experience.

How is the Curriculum for High School Differentiated?
The Global and World Experience classes are humanities-based.  Pre AP and AP classes follow the National Advanced Placement Curriculum.

What is ACE/LEAP Kindergarten?
Kinder students identified as ACE receive services at their home campuses. Kindergarten LEAP students attend the LEAP Program at McCoy Elementary School.

As a parent of a student about to enter high school, should I guide my child into the most rigorous classes, or less rigorous classes in which she/he may score a higher GPA?                                                                                                           No, universities and colleges repeatedly recommend that students take the most rigorous classes in which they can be successful. Many universities review student transcripts to ensure that a student has maintained the highest level of challenge for all four years of high school. http://www.collegeparents.org/cpa/resource-future-academics-course_rigor.html