Partners for Acceleration

”Exceeding Students’ Expectations”

James island accelerated program

 

Overview

 

The James Island Accelerated Program is a Charleston County School District Initiative that operates in partnership with the College of Charleston’s Center for Partnerships to Improve Education, Partners for Acceleration, and Communities In Schools.

 

Vision

 

“The goal of the Accelerated Program is to address the age disparity of highly capable students by promoting achievement and leadership through the use of relevant and challenging academic instruction in small class settings, with individual attention and support.”

 

 

Academics

 

· Thematic, cross-curricular units integrated within all content areas

· Use of gifted and talented strategies in all classrooms with an emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving

· Authentic learning that makes learning relevant to students

· Individualized instruction that utilizes students’ strengths to address needs

· Collaborative learning through flexible grouping and learning stations

· Inquiry-driven projects and research

· “Read 180”, a reading software program for older students

· Heavy emphasis on writing within all subjects

· 90-minute classes for English/language Arts, math, and science/social studies

 

Standards addressed:

· 7^th and 8^th English/language arts standards- following the 8^th grade coherent curriculum

· 7^th and 8^th grade math standards- following the 8^th grade Charleston County School District coherent curriculum

· 8^th grade science and social studies standards

 

 

Student Support Systems

 

A positive counseling approach is used to build leadership skills, teamwork, and personal self-esteem.  Organization and decision-making skills are also addressed daily.  Students within the Accelerated Program are offered many support systems throughout the year, including:

 

· Small group and one-on-one counseling

· Daily team meetings to set goals, organize the day, and to address any other matters or issues

· Weekly whole group meetings to make group decisions and give compliments or recognitions

· Agreements that are generated and followed by the entire program

· Weekly and daily incentives for meeting agreements

· Reflection and goal-setting for students who were not able to meet an agreement

· Classroom lessons led by counselor targeting student-generated issues

· Mentors who work with small groups and individual students

· Daily assistance offered to students with homework or classwork

· Card systems in classrooms that empower students to make choices and decisions

· Quarterly promotion meetings and goal setting

· Peer council run by students in order to contribute to the decision making of the program

· Parent night to address high school transition

 

Enrichment Activities

 

Students in the Accelerated Program participate in many enrichment activities.  These activities include fieldtrips and partnerships that specifically address the goals and vision of the program.  Enrichment activities from the 2006-2007 school year included:

 

· Lowcountry Environment Education Program (LEEP)

· Outward Bound Expeditionary Learning

· Clubs led by community volunteers

· Teen Outreach Program

· Safer Choices

· Civil War Archaeological Dig

 

Field trips included Bulls Island, Earth Race, James Island County Park’s Ropes Course,  Charleston Historical Scavenger Hunt, Freedom Writers, Etc.

 

 

Service Learning

 

Students within the program completed the following Service Learning projects during the 2006-2007 school year:

 

· Designed and planted gardens for James Island Middle School through a math project

· Tutored 2^nd grade students at Murray LaSaine Elementary

· Spoke at the College of Charleston’s Center for Partnerships to Improve Education Conference, I’On Community of Learners, and CCSD Budget Forum

· Worked with the Department of Natural Resources to create oyster replenishment reefs

 

 

Staff of the Accelerated Program

 

Renee Byrd, Director

renee_byrd@charleston.k12.sc.us

 

Paula Engle, Counselor

 

Celeste Monette, Math Teacher

 

Adrienne Larichiuta, ELA Teacher

 

Jamie Thomas, Thematic Inquiry

 

Located on the campus of James Island Middle School

Telephone: (843) 762-2784, ext. 151/152