Transcript Slide 1

Our Motivation and Goal
Highly gifted students thrive on knowledge and challenge. They
delight in the in-depth exploration of ideas and aspire to
acceptance at top colleges. Still, as teenagers they long for
satisfying extra-curricular opportunities and social lives.
Experience shows their needs are not always met by the AP and
IB curricula and existing Bellevue high school programs.
A task force of PRISM parents, supported and guided by
Bellevue School District and interested teachers, is studying ways
to meet the special needs of our gifted and talented children.
In our research with current and past PRISM students, their parents,
educators, and academic literature, we concluded that, to meet our
students’ needs, a Bellevue gifted and talented high school program
must:
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Provide challenge and creativity in core classes while leaving
time for normal teenage sports, clubs and extra-curricular
activities.
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Be identified as a highly effective college preparatory program
by admissions officers at top flight colleges and universities.
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Allow students to capitalize on their PRISM accelerated
learning through individual study, internships and career
workshops.
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Have the flexibility to meet the broad spectrum of
interests expressed by this diverse and talented group.
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Allow for in-school interaction with non-PRISM students
and programs.
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Be fun!
With these points in mind, we have developed two gifted and
talented high school models for your consideration.
But first a review of what we consider to be “special features” that
both programs will enjoy.
Special Features Of
The High School Gifted Program
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Integrated Core Classes
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Core Classes Homogeneously Grouped for Gifted Students
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Coordinated Schedules, Increasing the Possibility of Gifted
Electives
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Designated Advocate/Advisor/Counselor
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Internships, Independent Study, Research Projects, and Other
Opportunities to Foster Individual Talents and Interests
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Special Designation to Alert College Admissions Officers
The Interlake Option
Features of Interlake H.S.
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International Baccalaureate Program
Advanced Placement Program
Microsoft Technology Center (Certification(s))
Unique Career Tech Programs
Horticulture
Computer Technology
Metal Technology
Wood Technology
World Languages: French, Spanish
International Culture Club
Modified Block Schedule
50 Minute Periods M, T, F
90 Minute Periods W, TH
Year-Long Courses- fluency and retention in world
language, math, music programs, etc.
Advanced English and A.P. World History Integrated
And Advanced Chemistry (Gifted Cohort)
9th
World Language 3
Physical Education
Mathematics
Fine Arts
IB English, IB History, IB Science, IB Theory of Knowledge (Gifted Cohort)
10th
IB Mathematics and IB World Language
1.5 Electives
IB English, IB Government, and IB Theory of Knowledge (Gifted Cohort)
11th
IB Science and IB Mathematics and IB World Language
IB Diploma Completed: 3 HL Tests, 3 SL Tests
1.5 Electives
U.W. Humanities Integrated
U.W. Science and Social, Philosophical, Ethical Issues Integrated
12th
Electives
Electives Allow Ample Time for Additional IB Classes, Talent/Interest Clusters,
Seminars, Internships, Independent Projects,
And Other Creative Options
Four-Year Summary
IB Diploma
Integrated IB Coursework over Three Years
IB Recognition in Six Subject Areas
Potential for AP Exams
Four U.W. Courses
Electives
Student Cohort Four of Four School Years
The Senior Year
We would commend the decision not to rush off to college. Too many students ignore
their personal and extracurricular development in their quest to "get ahead." There are
many valuable lessons to be learned outside and inside the classroom during the senior
year even for someone so advanced. Your plan sounds perfect.
An individually tailored combination of internships, college courses, high school courses,
mentorship, and other creative local options would be extremely valuable to these students
in the long run. There are also secondary schools such as Hunter College High School that
provide various community service and other kinds of "extracurricular" opportunities to
such students. They have many outstanding students like yours who are academically
ready to go on to college after the junior year in high school but pursue the path you have
so wisely outlined.
As these students apply to college in the senior year, your secondary school counselor
should take pains to explain to colleges that these students have not avoided your high
school's most difficult courses, but rather went beyond them with your blessings. I know
we would certainly applaud this approach.
Bill Fitzsimmons
Dean of Admissions, Harvard University
AP – IB Comparisons
Both Well Respected by Universities
I can only speak for Harvard but we value both programs equally -- and that's
not a paid political announcement. The IB is a terrific program and we offer
Advanced Standing on the basis of 6s and 7s in the full IB Program. Similarly,
we offer the same sort of Advanced Standing for students with 4 or more 5s on
AP tests. The AP offers a bit more flexibility for students who have heavy
extracurricular, family or work commitments or simply are better at some
things than others. We hope that students would be realistic about not getting
in over their heads -- whether or not it's wise for them to take on the complete
IB or the 6 or more AP classes.
All of which is a long way of saying we do indeed value the two equally. I
hope this is helpful and please don't hesitate to be in touch if you need
anything else.
Bill Fitzsimmons
AP – IB Comparisons
AP consists of a number of individual courses, and each course requires an AP
Test for “verification.”
IB is a comprehensive program, and students who complete it receive an IB
diploma. The diploma requires six exams, a 4,000 word essay, the Theory of
Knowledge course and assessment, and a CAS Project.
AP courses can be taken at anytime during the student’s four-year program.
IB courses must be grouped into a two-year sequence.
AP – IB Comparisons
AP requires a test for each course.
IB requires six tests, typically English, Social Studies, Science, Math, World
Languages, and one selected from the elective areas.
AP tests are scored by the College Board.
IB tests are scored by classroom teachers and IBO examiners internationally.
Teacher scoring is verified by comparisons to IBO scoring.
AP – IB Comparisons
Both Programs Offer Similar Course Options
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
IB/AP Junior English
IB/AP Senior English (HL Exam)
AP World History
AP U.S. History
AP U.S. and Comparative Government (2)
AP Psychology
AP World History (Interlake)
IB/AP History of the Americas
IB/AP Government (2 AP, HL Exam)
AP Chemistry
AP Biology
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
AP Environmental Science
IB Chemistry (SL Exam)
IB/AP Biology (SL Exam
IB/AP Physics B (SL Exam)
IB/AP Physics C (HL Exam)
AP – IB Comparisons
Both Programs Offer Similar Course Options
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP World Language (Fifth Year)
AP World Literature (Sixth Year)
IB Math Studies (SL Exam)
IB/AP Calculus AB (SL Exam)
IB/AP Calculus BC (HL Exam)
AP Statistics Offered at Interlake
IB World Language (Four Year, SL)
IB/AP World Language (Fifth Year, HL)
IB/AP World Language (Sixth Year, HL)
AP Studio Art
AP Art History
IB/AP Art Portfolio (HL or SL)
AP Computer Science
IB Integrated Tech in Global Society (SL)
AP Computer Science Offered at Interlake