East Lansing Academically Talented Offerings:
Elementary School Level:
Enrichment in General Education Classrooms Grades K - 6:
Includes accelerated instruction, differentiated instruction and opportunities to develop common
interests and interactions with peers of similar ability. Our elementary teachers view each student
as possessing unique talents and take care to design lessons which are appropriate to needs and
affirm and support their special abilities.
Team Concept for Differentiated Curriculum Pilot Grade 5(Glencairn):
As part of a District initiative, two teachers have researched differentiated curriculum in order to
offer this program as a effective way to address unique individual needs of students and to assist
in the training of other interested teachers at the elementary level. The students will be part of a
learning team/community and receive an outcome-based education based on their individual
needs. This will be a three year initiative. It will be evaluated for best practices and outcomes
with the teachers serving as resources for other interested building teams.
Saturday School - Grades 4-8:
This program offered by the Ingham Intermediate School District and Lansing Community
College includes 10 - 12 enrichment courses including: Young People’s Theater, Principles of
Design, Astronomy, Concepts of Ecology, Japanese Arts and Culture, Creative Writing,
Computer Aided Design, surfing the Internet, World Numbering systems and Photography.
Parents and/or teachers typically nominate students for application in January/February for
inclusion in this program in March.
Kids College - Grades 4-5:
This program offered by the Ingham Intermediate School District and conducted at Michigan
State University. This is a two week summer experience using an interdisciplinary approach to
studying science/technology and the arts. Applications are available in March.
Girls’ Math/Science Conference - Grade 6:
This conference, typically held at East Lansing High School in February, is a day long
conference designed to expose female students to adult role models in careers utilizing math and
science. It also provides different hands-on activities in both topic areas. Participants usually
have an interest in the areas of mathematics and science and are nominated for participation by
their teacher, counselor, principal or parent.
MASCOT (Mathematics Augmentation Series: Cultivating Optimum Teaching and Learning) Grade 6:
This is a two phase program offered by the Ingham Intermediate School District that 1) sponsors
an instructional improvement clinic for teachers and counselors and 2) offers a three week
summer experience for students to receive intensive instruction in math using new techniques
and technology. Participation for students is measured by standardized test scores, interest in
mathematics, recommendation from teacher of mathematics and the coordinator of gifted and
talented services and parent permission.
Counseling:
The elementary Guidance specialists have received training in the specific needs of academically
talented students. Dependent on the needs of the students involved, they run individualized
and/or small group counseling sessions and whole group classroom discussions. This assistance
is available by teacher, parent or student referral at each elementary.
Reading Helping Teacher Program:
The Reading Helping Teacher program serves the needs of the academically talented in two
ways. First, the RHT can provide initial diagnostic testing information that may be helpful to the
classroom teacher to determine instructional level as well as strengths and weaknesses. Followup consultations with teachers result in mutually agreed upon instructional outcomes.
Second, the RHT can provide direct instruction to academically talented students for whom
extending and enriching the instruction is appropriate. These children participate in a pull out
program that may or may not be cross-age groupings. Areas of study may focus on higher level
thinking skills, researching topics of interest to them in content curricular areas, studying specific
genre of literature and encouraging the integration of language arts and other curricular areas.
East Lansing Academically Talented Offerings:
Middle School Level:
Enrichment in General Education Classrooms Grades 7-8:
Includes accelerated instruction, differentiated instruction and opportunities to develop common
interests and interactions with peers of similar ability. Our middle school teachers view each
student as possessing unique talents and take care to design lessons which are appropriate to
needs and affirm and support special student abilities.
Saturday School - Grades 4-8:
This program offered by the Ingham Intermediate School District and Lansing Community
College includes 10 - 12 enrichment courses including: Young People’s Theater, Principles of
Design, Astronomy, Concepts of Ecology, Japanese Arts and Culture, Creative Writing,
Computer Aided Design, surfing the Internet, World Numbering systems and Photography.
Parents and/or teachers typically nominate students for application in January/February for
inclusion in this program in March.
Midwest Talent Search Project Grades 7-8:
Middle school students participate in this search program sponsored by Northwestern University.
Those 7th and 8th grade students who score at the 95th percentile or above(6th graders must score
at the 97th percentile) on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT are qualified to participate
in MTS. The middle school students are given the SAT in January and the ACT in February.
Dimensions Grades 7-8:
This program is designed for students who participate in the Midwest Talent Search Project of
Northwestern University and are invited to make an application. It is a two week intensive
summer program conducted at Michigan State University for approximately 100 students who
study two academic and one arts laboratory selected from the following offerings: Academics literature, Math I & II, Science I, Writing, Physics, Art - 3-D Sculpture, Music, Computer
Graphics, Theater and Ceramics.
MST at MSU (Mathematics, Science, Technology at Michigan State University) - Grades 7-8:
This is a two-week residential program conducted at Michigan State University. The instruction
focuses on mathematics, science and technology and offers chance for students to experience
Active Learning as they investigate problems that can be solved through the use of math, science
or technology. 90 students from across the state of Michigan (and at times, students from other
states)participate. Admission is based in part on the ACT/SAT score report form, a student essay,
teacher recommendation and parent permission.
CHAMP (Cooperative Highly Accelerated Mathematics Program) Grades 7-10:
This program is conducted at Michigan State University during the academic school year. After
an eight month search and identification process students are enrolled in a two year program
which allows them to complete four years of math instruction in two years. Courses include:
Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Mathematical Analysis. Students who complete the series
are ready for AP calculus in their high schools or college-level (honors) calculus at MSU or LCC.
Counseling:
The middle school Guidance specialists have received training in the specific needs of
academically talented students. Dependent on the needs of the students involved, they run
individualized and/or small group counseling sessions and whole group classroom discussions.
This assistance is available by teacher, parent or student referral at the middle school.
East Lansing Academically Talented Offerings:
High School Level:
Enrichment in General Education Classes Grades 9-12:
East Lansing High School has an extremely varied curriculum (over 160 courses) which meets
the needs of many of our academically talented students.
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Advance Placement Courses : AP courses are offered in English, Calculus
AB, Calculus BC, Physics, Biology, American History, European History,
Studio Art, Computer Science and French. Students in other courses where
advanced placement exams are offered (such as History or Spanish) may also
elect to take the advanced placement exam in the spring. This allows students
to receive college credit even though courses are not officially designated as
AP. Many students take advantage of this opportunity and the examinations
are given by high school staff members.
·
College Credit: East Lansing High School accepts external credit from
colleges and universities with prior administrative approval. Also, the
counseling department staff works with individual students to help enroll them
at MSU or LCC as high school students should this be an appropriate option
for them.
·
Acceleration and Enriched Courses: Acceleration opportunities are given to
students in the areas of Science, Mathematics, English, World Languages and
Performing Arts. Recommendations for acceleration are based on criteria
established by each department. Information regarding acceleration is
available from the counseling staff.
·
Waiver Tests: These tests are given in either March or August for students
who may want to by-pass a required course for graduation. A grade of C+ or
better must be obtained for the waiver of the requirement, but it will not grant
any credit toward graduation.
·
Advanced Coursework/Classes: The high school offers many advanced
classes including Organic Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Studio Art,
Introductory Analysis, ELSingers, Architecture, Engineering Technology,
Music Theory, advanced coursework in German, Spanish, and French,
Advanced Algebra II, Advanced Geometry and Water Safety Instructor.
Information regarding these courses can be found in the high school course
description catalogue. Additional information can also be obtained from the
counseling office.
·
Special Interest Groups: The high school offers many opportunities for
students who are talented in particular area or who have a particular special
interest. There are over 25 special interest clubs and 48 athletic teams. Some
opportunities that are available include: Debate Club, United Nations Club,
Soliloquy (yearbook), Computer Club, Art Club, Drama Club, National Honor
Society, Instrumental Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Band, International Club and
Asian Pacific Club. Information regarding these activities are available from
the activities coordinator at East Lansing High School.
·
Competition: Opportunities for students who desire competition are available
through a variety of sources. In the past these have included: National Merit
Scholarship Competition, Quiz Bowl, National Council of Teachers of
English writing Competition, Science Olympiad, Chemistry Olympiad,
Electron Car Competition, Michigan Math Testing Program, LCC
Architectural Design Competition, MSU Engineering Competition, Michigan
Mathematics Prize Competition, American High School Mathematics
Examination, Hope College Math Contest, National Foreign Language Tests,
Michigan Arts Festival Competition, Lansing Gallery Scholarship Alert,
Congressional High School Art Competition, Michigan Art Education
Association Juried State Show, Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Thomas
Edison-Max McGraw Scholarship Program and others. Information regarding
these competitions can be obtained through the high school counseling office.
·
Individualized Programs: Other opportunities are available on an
individualized basis for students. These include: directed study, supervised
job-related experiences, mentorships, internships, community service, foreign
exchange programs, government service and external credit. These options
can be explained to individual students by the high school counseling staff.
CHAMP (Cooperative Highly Accelerated Mathematics Program) Grades 7-10:
This program is conducted at Michigan State University during the academic school
year. After an eight month search and identification process students are enrolled in a
two year program which allows them to complete four years of math instruction in
two years. Courses include: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Mathematical
Analysis. Students who complete the series are ready for AP calculus in their high
schools or college-level (honors) calculus at MSU or LCC.
CHAMP PLUS - Grades 9-10:
This program is a high school math elective following the CHAMP program. It is
taught at Michigan State University. Classes are offered during the school year/day.
The classes center around math application in astronomy and physics and in statistics.
Post Secondary Enrollment Option Grades 11-12:
Students who earn a proficiency rating in all three subjects of the High School
Proficiency Test (HSPT) communication arts, mathematics and science qualify for
this option. Students must be enrolled in both the East Lansing School District and
the post secondary institution during the regular academic year and must be taking at
least one high school class. The college courses must be courses NOT offered by East
Lansing School District. The college courses cannot be a hobby, craft or recreation
class or in the subject of theology, divinity or religious education. For additional
information contact the high school counseling office.
High Achievers Grades 9-11:
This program is sponsored by the Ingham Intermediate School District and is open to
students who have completed either grades nine, ten or eleven. This program is
conducted at Michigan State University during the summer. There is a tuition charge
for parents although some scholarship money may be available. Qualifying students
(based on grade point and SAT scores) are enrolled in university level courses and
earn 3 credit hours per course. Courses may include: Computer science, Human
Biology and Society 206H, Introduction to Philosophy 200 and Introduction to
Microeconomics 201. These courses are determined on a yearly basis. Applications
are made in the spring.
Summer Institute Grades 10-11:
This program is open to tenth and eleventh graders only. It is a two-week summer
program based at one of five university sites in Michigan. (Alma College, Eastern
Michigan University, Madonna University, Michigan Technological University and
Western Michigan University) Course offerings are in the areas of: Communication
Arts, Computers/Technology, Math and Engineering, Life Science, Physical Science,
Social Science and Languages, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. Selected students
pay a registration fee and a partial entry fee, the rest is paid by a State Grant of
Michigan. This program is also sponsored by the Ingham Intermediate School
District and they select the students based on their application.
Counseling:
The high school Counselors have received training in the specific needs of
academically talented students. Dependent on the needs of the students involved,
they advise, individually counsel and/or refer students to appropriate
personnel/agencies. This assistance is available by student, teacher and/or parent
referral at the high school.