ACCELERATED PROGRAMS (SBHC POLICY 2215.01)

All elementary schools will offer an advanced academic class in grades 1 through 5. Rubrics will be used to determine placement in the advanced academic class. Priority placement will be given to students identified as gifted. All fifth grade classes will participate in a school level science fair. Teachers will implement differentiation and curriculum compacting. All teachers will be gifted endorsed or working toward endorsement by taking at least one class per year.

Highlands Advanced Academics Rising Together (HAART) is a program that serves advanced students in grades K-8 in all Highlands County elementary and middle schools. HAART provides high-achieving learners with curriculum that will academically challenge them through rigor and acceleration, with enrichment opportunities and higher expectations.

For more information please contact the Principal at your zoned school. Click here for schools

Middle School Advanced Academics

ACCELERATED PROGRAMS (SBHC POLICY 2215.01)

• • All middle schools will offer advanced academic classes in four core content areas:  

    • • • • Language Arts

          • Mathematics

          • Social Studies

          • Science

  • Rubrics will determine placement in an advanced academic class.  

    • • • • Priority placement is given to students identified as gifted. 

  • Advanced academic students are given the opportunity to participate in a school level science fair.  

    • • • • A research class is available as support.  

          • Students do not need to enroll in a class to participate in the science fair.  

  • Teachers will implement differentiation and curriculum compacting.   

  • All teachers will participate in advanced academic staff development activities at the district level, be gifted endorsed or work toward endorsement by taking at least one class per year. (SBHC 2215.01)

• • The following criteria is considered for a student to qualify to take an advanced course:

1.  Teacher recommendation,

2. GPA in the specific content area and overall GPA,

4. FSA/FCAT score in the specific content area (on the most recent EOC/FSA reading test for social science course,

5. Placement test if available,

6. Performance Matters, iReady, FAIR scores,

7. Giftedness,

8. Attendance and conduct record

• • A parent may request that their child participate in an ACCEL (Academically Challenging Curriculum and Enhance Learning) program.  If a student is allowed to participate in an ACCEL program, a performance contract must be executed by the student, parent and principal.  The performance contract must include minimum attendance and conduct requirements; additional requirements may be established.

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

A middle school student may take courses designated in the Florida Course Code Directory as grades 9-12.  These courses/credits may be used to satisfy high school graduation requirements and Florida Academic Scholars award requirements (F.S. 1003.428).  They may take place at the assigned middle school or at a Highlands County high school or other than a Highlands County school as authorized by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Administrator.

Students taking high school credit courses on the middle school campus are required to meet all expectations for earning high school credit.  

•  A student enrolled in a high school course requiring a state EOC assessment must take the EOC

• A student does not have to pass the EOC in order to get high school credit 

• The Algebra, Geometry, Biology, US History EOC (FSA and FSAA) constitutes 30% of the student’s final grade

• A student must pass the Algebra EOC in order to earn a standard diploma

• A student is not required to take the corresponding subject and grade level statewide assessment

Beginning with 2012-2013 school year, to earn high school credit for Geometry (FSA and FSAA), a middle grade student must take the Geometry assessment EOC which constitutes 30% of the student’s final grade and earn a passing grade in the course.

To earn high school credit for a Biology course (FSA and FSAA), a middle grade student must take the Biology EOC assessment which constitutes 30% of the student’s final grade and earn a passing grade in the course.

A student with a disability, as defined in F.S. 1007.02(2), for whom the IEP committee determines that an end-of-course assessment cannot accurately measure the student’s abilities, taking into consideration all allowable accommodations, shall have the end-of- course assessment results waived for the purpose of determining the student’s course grade and completing requirements for middle grades promotion. (F.S. 1003.4156)

Scheduling conflicts, course offerings, and course prerequisite requirements may limit participation in high school courses.

When enrolled in a course at a school other than a Highlands County school, the parent(s) is solely responsible for monitoring student progress. Failure to successfully complete a course may result in consequences that impact the student’s eligibility for promotion.   Counselors must inform parents and students taking high school credit while in middle school about the Grade Forgiveness Policy.

All high school credit being earned at the middle school must be reported on a report card and academic history.

High School Advanced Academics