Renaissance Gifted Academies
- Overview: Renaissance Highly Gifted Programs
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- Canyon Springs STEM Academy
- Highland Lakes School
- Las Brisas Gifted Academy
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- Deer Valley Unified School District
- Overview: Renaissance Highly Gifted Programs
Renaissance Overview
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Renaissance Highly Gifted Academies provide an all-day self-contained learning experience addressing the individual needs of gifted students. Students acquire a solid foundation in the content areas of mathematics, language and communication arts, social studies, science, and technology literacy. Students work at advanced levels within these content areas at an accelerated pace. Learning opportunities include engagement in higher-order and critical thinking skills; broadened musical exposure and performance (at our Highland Lakes program); more in-depth STEM projects and activities (at our Canyon Springs program); personal development and responsibility; and community and peer involvement.DVUSD offers this opportunity at three of our campuses. Please visit the schools' websites for specific information about each campus.Three Amazing Options!
The Renaissance Highly Gifted &STEM Program at Canyon Springsfocuses on highly gifted learners.Our signature STEM program supports those who have a passion for the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math.Serving grades 1st - 8thAlso home to Bright Beginnings KindergartenThe Renaissance Highly Gifted &Music Program at Highland Lakesfocuses on highly gifted learners.Our signature music program supports those who have a passion for developing diverse musical talents.Serving grades 1st - 8thAlso home to Bright Beginnings KindergartenThe Renaissance Highly Gifted &Global Studies Program at Las Brisasfocuses on highly gifted learners.Our signature Global Studies program supports those who have a passion for problem-based learning in the world around them.Serving grades 3rd - 6th in 2022-23and expanding after that.Also, home to our Gifted Preschool and Bright Beginnings Kindergarten and Grade 1&2 Program(Tour power points are also posted on this page)
Qualifying Gifted Identification ScoresArea Scores: All 3 scores (Verbal, Quantitative, Non‐Verbal) are at the 90th percentile or higher with a total of 280 percentile points or greater combined.~OR~Qualifying I.Q. Score: 132 or higher
Program Overview
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The following information applies to all campuses.
In this learning community of supportive and collaborative peers, students are expected to take responsibility and ownership for their academic achievement and personal growth framed by their strengths and interests.Program Philosophy
The Renaissance Highly Gifted Programs focus on gifted learners’ needs and interests. Learning opportunities focus on mastery; higher-order and critical thinking skills; community engagement; personal development and responsibility.In our self-contained gifted classrooms, we…- have the opportunity to differentiate the curriculum
- move along the learning continuum as quickly and appropriately as possible
- design instruction through assessments and teach the “whole” child
- know that quality learning takes time but realizes superior results
Overview
The Highly Gifted Renaissance Program curriculum is specifically designed to respond to gifted learners’ characteristics of precocity, intensity, and complexity. Acceleration of basic content experiences, inquiry as a fundamental tool for encouraging learning, use of open-ended activities and questions that encourage further exploration, development of creative products to stimulate the use of higher-level thinking and problem-solving processes, and extensions to pique interest around substantive content.Renaissance Program Goals
Our academic goals for students:
- Acquire a solid foundation in the content areas of mathematics, language and communication arts, social studies, and science.
- Work at an advanced level within these content areas.
- Produce work within these areas that reflect individuality and creativity at a level that is advanced in relation to other students of the same grade.
- Use technology as productivity, creativity, communication, and collaboration tool. (International Society for Technology in Education Standards)
Our cognitive and affective goals for students:- Problem-solve; think creatively, critically, and logically; and make connections between ideas.
- Acquire the knowledge and skills of learning and organizing.
- Acquire advanced research skills to gather, analyze, and apply information and ideas.
- Acquire the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively both within and beyond the classroom.
- Acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as a responsible member of a community.
Is Renaissance The Best Fit For My Child?
Students who tend to be the most successful in our Renaissance Academies tend to be:-
Intense and inquisitive learners
- Analytical thinkers
- Creative problem-solvers
- Highly motivated
Parents also need to provide their own transportation if they do not live within the individual school's boundaries.
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Grade Level Content Acceleration & Enrichment
Bright Beginnings Kindergarten
- Primarily grade-level content that is enriched and extended as needed. Acceleration into 1st-grade content is available as neededGrades 1&2*
- ELA - A blend of on grade level and above grade level with enrichment and extensions- Math - One grade above (blended with at grade level concepts as needed to transition)- Science and Social Studies - At grade level with enrichment and extensionsPlease note that students going into 1st grade may be placed in a K-1 class or a 1st/2nd-grade class depending on enrollment numbers at the campus. Either configuration will be taught by our Renaissance or Bright Beginnings teachers. If we do have enough students to create stand-alone 1st and 2nd-grade classes, that is our goal.Grades 3-7
- ELA and Math - One grade above (Math could be more depending on individual student needs)- Social Studies & Science - At grade level with enrichmentGrade 8
- 9th Grade Honors ELA- High School Math (whatever level is needed)- 8th Grade enriched Social Studies & ScienceAll high school courses are for high school credit.World Languages
Canyon Springs STEM Academy - Spanish
- Grade K-6 - Weekly Spanish Enrichment/Specials Classes- Grades 7-8 - Optional High School Spanish CoursesHighland Lakes School - Spanish- Grade K-6 - Weekly Spanish Enrichment/Specials Classes- Grades 7-8 - Optional High School Spanish CoursesLas Brisas Gifted Academy - Two or more language options (TBA)
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Please email giftedservices@dvusd.org if you have any questions.Click the logo above see all gifted services offered in DVUSD