Greenwood School
District 50
Schools of Choice
2018-2019
Choice and Magnet Options
Timeline for the 2018-2019
School Year Applications for all Choice and Magnet
Options will be posted to the Greenwood
District 50 website the week of December 11,
2017.
Applications for all Choice and Magnet
Options are due January 26, 2018. Late
applications will not be reviewed.
Schools of Choice- Students who are eligible to attend
Greenwood District 50 are eligible to apply to choice/magnet
programs.
ACTS
AVID
A3 New for 2018-2019
GSI
Montessori
STEMS
Transportation is available for all programs, except for
Montessori PK3 students.
Detailed information and videos for each program are located at
www.gwd50.org under the Schools of Choice tab.
Marketing Magnet/Choice Programs
Informational parent meetings
Online videos
Print media
Internet and Social Media
Marquee
Letters
Phone calls
Update to District 50 School Board
ACTS Arts, Communication, and Theatre
School of
Greenwood School District 50
ACTS
Arts integration magnet program, school within a school model.
Admission into the program is based solely on results from a detailed application and interview process.
Serving fifth grade at Woodfields Elementary School.
Serving sixth, seventh, and eighth grade at Brewer Middle School.
Applications accepted as rising fifth and sixth graders.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status. Wait list status
applies to the current school year only, through the first 5 days
of school.
Limited applications maybe accepted for other grades contingent upon space and availability.
ACTS
All ACTS students receive accelerated instruction in the four core academic areas.
Examples of year long fine arts focus classes offered at Brewer Middle School: Dance, Theatre, Strings, Visual Arts, and Voice.
Examples of nine weeks rotation classes offered at Woodfields Elementary School: Dance, Theatre, Enrichment, PE, Strings, Visual Arts, and Voice.
Examples of nine weeks rotation classes offered at Brewer Middle School: Business Computer Application, Creative Writing, Communication/Production, Dance, Theatre, Guitar, PE, Visual Arts, Band and Voice.
Approximately 70 students in fifth grade.
Limited number of 6th grade students will be selected based on score, space, and availability.
Overall Academic Focus
Problem Based Learning
Critical Thinking Skills
GT curriculum will be integrated within the state/district curriculum
Arts integration
Application Process Application Packet:
Application
Writing Sample
Recommendation Letter
Fourth Grade Information Form or
Fifth Grade Information Form
Interview: See application for dates
Audition: Live 1-3 minute audition for all performing art areas (dance, theatre, instrument, music, voice). Student responsible for providing any technology required for the live audition. Portfolio for visual arts only.
AVID
Advancement Via Individual Determination
Greenwood School District 50
AVID
College readiness, school within a school model.
Admission into the program is based solely on results from a
detailed application and interview process.
Serving sixth – eighth grade at Northside Middle School.
Serving ninth-twelfth grade at Emerald High School and
Greenwood High School.
Special Class Model.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status. Wait list status
applies to the current school year only, through the first 5 days
of school.
Applications accepted as rising sixth and ninth graders.
AVID
All middle school AVID students receive accelerated
instruction in English language arts and mathematics.
All high school AVID students receive accelerated instruction
in English language arts, mathematics, Science, and social
studies. Students are required to take Honors or above
level classes.
GT curriculum will be integrated within the state/district
curriculum.
Year long AVID elective class.
The AVID elective class focuses on Writing, Inquiry,
Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR).
The AVID Student
AVID targets students in the academic middle -
B, C students - who have the desire to go to
college and the willingness to work hard.
Students who are capable of completing
rigorous curriculum and desire an opportunity to
grow their academic and leadership skills.
Acceleration, gifted and talented curriculum.
Approximately 50 students per campus.
The AVID Faculty
One key to a successful AVID program is a site
coordinator/teacher who is a respected site
instructional leader.
Committed to serving the needs of AVID students.
The coordinator/teacher also works with colleagues
to implement AVID methodologies.
Works with counselors to place students in college
preparatory curriculum, and to guide students
towards and through the college application process.
The AVID Elective
Students participate in the AVID elective class for one
period each day.
They learn organizational and study skills, work on
critical thinking and asking probing questions.
Tutorial facilitators assist students with academic needs.
Students participate in enrichment and motivational
activities that make college seem attainable.
Students work to improve their self-images and to
become successful academic leaders.
The AVID elective class is facilitated by a highly trained,
AVID elective teacher.
Application Process
Application Packet:
Application
Writing Sample
Letter of Recommendation from teacher or guidance counselor. Parent or student must ask teacher or guidance counselor to write a Letter of Recommendation.
Interview: See application for dates.
A3-Opening 2018-2019
A3-Greenwood 50 Academic Arts Academy
The over arching goal for A3 is a vertical alignment of College and Career Readiness Standards and Visual and Performing Arts Standards that affords students the opportunity to learn at a rigorous and accelerated pace.
Academic arts magnet program, school within a school model.
Admission into the program is based solely on results from a detailed application, interview, and audition.
Serving rising 9th grade students during 2018-2019 with plans to extend to twelfth grade over time.
Applications currently accepted from rising 9th grade students.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status. Wait list status
applies to the current school year only, through the first 5 days of
school.
A3-Greenwood 50 Academic Arts Academy
This choice high school program will provide students the opportunity to excel in rigorous, accelerated curriculum in both academics and visual and performing arts.
Students will be required to participate in honors, dual credit, and advanced placement classes. These classes will be a combination of core academic classes and visual and performing arts classes.
A3 students will also have the opportunity to participate in the
AP Capstone™ program. AP Capstone™ is a College Board
program that equips students with the independent research,
collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are
increasingly valued by colleges.
Limited applications maybe accepted for other grades
contingent upon space and availability.
Approximately 50 rising 9th grade students will be accepted for
2018-2019.
GSI
Greenwood School of Inquiry
Greenwood School District 50
GSI-Greenwood School of Inquiry
School wide, preparatory model.
Admission into the program is based on application,
lottery, and available space.
Serving kindergarten – fifth grade at Hodges
Elementary School.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status.
Wait list status applies to the current school year
only, through the first 5 days of school.
Applications accepted as rising 5K-fifth graders.
How does inquiry based instruction
impact student learning?
Students learn through authentic investigations.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of their fields of
study through project-based learning.
Students' knowledge is structured to be transferable
and applicable to a variety of situations.
Students learning will be accelerated and enriched by
building on individual interests and prior experiences.
Students approach learning as scientists,
mathematicians, social scientist, and writers.
The Montessori Program
Greenwood School District 50
Montessori
Greenwood School District 50
Core Philosophy: Children have everything
they need within themselves to learn and
grow. The educator’s job is to prepare the
learning environment and guide students in
their learning process.
The goal of the Greenwood 50 Montessori
program is to “teach children how to learn” so
they may become independent learners.
Montessori
Greenwood School District 50
All Montessori classes are located at Lakeview
Elementary.
Classes are available for students in PreK3-fifth grade
PreK3’s must be three by September 1, 2018 and potty
trained. Transportation is not available for 3 year olds.
Admission into the program is based on application,
lottery, and available space.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status. Wait
list status applies to the current school year only,
through the first 5 days of school.
Characteristics of a Montessori
Classroom
Children in a Montessori classroom:
are taught a standards based curriculum in a
multi-age classroom.
spend the majority of their time working
individually or in small self-selected groups.
remain with the teacher for several years.
make choices about their work.
work in a calm, quiet environment.
are taught an integrated thematic curriculum.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS
* Primary Level Students
* Students New to the District
STEMS
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics School
Greenwood School District 50
STEMS
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics magnet program, school within a school model.
Admission into the program is based solely on results from a detailed application and interview process.
Serving sixth - eighth grade at Westview.
Applications accepted as rising sixth graders.
Students might be placed on a waiting list status. Wait list status applies to the current school year only, through the first 5 days of school.
Accepting approximately 50 students.
STEMS
All STEMS students receive accelerated instruction in the four core academic areas.
Examples of rotation classes offered to STEMS sixth graders: Gateway to Technology, Design and Modeling, Art and Design, Electronic Music, Business Computer Application, PE, Science of Technology, and Communication and Technology
Examples of rotation classes offered to STEMS seventh graders: Digital Media, Magic of Electrons, Automation and Robotics, Medical Detectives, Gateway to Technology, Video Technology, PE, and Research and Exploration.
Overview of the Gateway to Technology Classes *
The Magic of Electrons
Engaged in relevant hands-on projects, students unravel the mysteries of digital circuitry.
Automation and Robotics
Students design and build automated systems that incorporate the principles of electrons, physics, and robotics to gain an enriched understanding of the contemporary mechanical world.
Design and Modeling
Students use geometry, problem-solving, teamwork, and project management skills to design and develop product prototypes.
The Science of Technology
Students apply scientific principles and concepts of simple machines and energy to solve real-world problems.
Flight and Space
Developed with NASA, this unit explores the technology of aeronautics, propulsion, and rocketry. Students see connections between hands-on projects and academic subjects such as math and science.
Medical Detectives
Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they analyze genetic testing results to diagnose
disease and study DNA evidence found at a “crime scene.” They solve medical mysteries through hands-
on projects and labs, investigate how to measure and interpret vital signs, and learn how the systems of
the human body work together to maintain health.
Project Lead the Way-Introduction to Engineering Design
Additional Gateway to Technology classes will be offered base on Project Lead the Way, state affiliates'
decisions.
*GTT units of study may change contingent upon recommendations from SC PLTW.
Overall Academic Focus
Accelerated, rigorous curriculum
Problem Based Learning
Project Based Learning
Critical/Creative Thinking Skills
GT Curriculum
Gateway to Technology
Project Lead the Way
Application Process
Application Packet:
Application
Writing Sample
Recommendation Letter
5th
Grade Information Form
Interview- See application for dates
And Portfolio information
Additional information on all Choice or
Magnet Programs is posted at
www.gwd50.org under Schools of Choice.
The application process, application, and
interview dates will be posted at the
above location the week of December 11,
2017.
Greenwood School District 50
Thank you for your interest in the
Choice and Magnet Options that
Greenwood School District 50 is
pleased to offer our students.
Contact Information:
Cathy S. Chalmers, Director for Gifted
and Talented/Choice and Magnet Programs
[email protected], 864-941-5412