Virginia L. Heard Elementary Academy is one of the many specialty program options offered in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. The focus of our specialty program is "Advanced Learning."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
WHAT IS AN ADVANCED LEARNING SPECIALTY PROGRAM?
An Advanced Learning Specialty Program provides elementary school students with an enriched, accelerated curriculum that meets the needs of the advanced learner. Visual and performing arts are also an important part of this program. To qualify, all students, kindergarten through the fifth grade must meet rigorous entrance requirements.
WHY SHOULD MY CHILD ATTEND THE HEARD ELEMENTARY ADVANCED LEARNING SPECIALTY PROGRAM?
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Students are provided R.A.R.E. (Rigorous, Accelerated, Relevant, and Engaging) learning experiences. Core Knowledge® materials are used to teach students culturally-based, comprehensive units. Student-centered units allow students to work collaboratively using higher-level thinking skills and problem-solving strategies.
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Heard is a school wide Core Knowledge® School and is designated as a National Visitation Site by the Core Knowledge Foundation in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Twenty-first century technology is used throughout the school. Computers are in each classroom, as well as in our state-of-the-art Computer Lab.
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Students in first through fifth grade are offered the opportunity to take violin during the school day.
- Dance classes are offered by the Maxine Patterson School of Dance on the Heard campus.
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Foreign Language is taught in kindergarten through the fifth grade.
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Students take weekly Art classes from a certified Art teacher who frequently supervises student teachers from SCAD on the Heard campus.
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Science Lab, hands-on experimentation and investigation, enhances classroom Science instruction as part of the weekly Fine Arts classes at Heard.
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All specialty program teachers are gifted-certified.
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Heard has three teachers who work with students in the Gifted Education Program (GEP).
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GEP Teachers serve all classes through enrichment. Gifted identified students are specifically served in pull-out classes.
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The GEP Program features competitions in the Stock Market Game, Quiz Bowl, and the International Student Media Festival.
- There are various student leadership opportunities at Heard: Student Council, National Junior Beta Club, Safety Patrols, Heard Ambassadors, Chorus, Band, Art Club, Science Club, and GA Stock Market Team.
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Heard has a strong school-family-community partnership. PTA projects offer parents numerous opportunities to participate in both the academic and social events at the school.
SPECIALTY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Students applying for the Kindergarten Program for the 2013-2014 School Year
Students applying for the first grade program for the 2013-2014 School Year
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Must score a 30 or higher on the Basic Literacy Test (which is a norm referenced test), or a 132 MOY on the DIBELS composite, All incoming students will be tested on the Basic LiteracyTest prior to registering for the open-position lottery.
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Must have an overall satisfactory (S) conduct grade
Students applying for the second through fifth grade must:
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Students entering 2nd Grade must score a 64 or higher on the Basic Literacy Test (which is a norm referenced test) or 140 on the DIBELS MOY. All incoming students will be tested on the Basic LiteracyTest prior to registering for the open-position lottery.
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Students entering 3rd Grade must have a SRI score of at least 330.
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Students entering 4th grade must have a SRI score of at least 530.
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Students entering 4th and 5th grade must score in the 6th stanine or higher on a norm referenced test (ITBS) in Reading, ELA, and Math or exceed expectations(850) on the CRCT in Reading, ELA, and Math
All second through fifth grade students must: