Our Motivation and Goal

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.

2. 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: • Provide challenge and creativity in core classes while leaving time for normal teenage sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities. • Be identified as a highly effective college preparatory program by admissions officers at top flight colleges and universities. • Allow students to capitalize on their PRISM accelerated learning through individual study, internships and career workshops.

3. Have the flexibility to meet the broad spectrum of interests expressed by this diverse and talented group. • Allow for in-school interaction with non-PRISM students and programs. • 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.

4. Special Features Of • The High School Gifted Program • Integrated Core Classes • Core Classes Homogeneously Grouped for Gifted Students • Coordinated Schedules, Increasing the Possibility of Gifted Electives • Designated Advocate/Advisor/Counselor • Internships, Independent Study, Research Projects, and Other Opportunities to Foster Individual Talents and Interests • Special Designation to Alert College Admissions Officers

5. The Interlake Option • Features of Interlake H.S. • 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.

6. Advanced English and A.P. World History Integrated And Advanced Chemistry (Gifted Cohort) World Language 3 Mathematics Physical Education Fine Arts 9th IB English, IB History, IB Science, IB Theory of Knowledge (Gifted Cohort) IB Mathematics and IB World Language 1.5 Electives 10th IB English, IB Government, and IB Theory of Knowledge (Gifted Cohort) IB Science and IB Mathematics and IB World Language IB Diploma Completed: 3 HL Tests, 3 SL Tests 1.5 Electives 11th

7. U.W. Humanities Integrated U.W. Science and Social, Philosophical, Ethical Issues Integrated Electives 12th 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. AP – IB Comparisons Both Programs Offer Similar Course Options AP English Language and Composition IB/AP Junior English AP English Literature and Composition IB/AP Senior English (HL Exam) AP World History AP World History (Interlake) AP U.S. History IB/AP History of the Americas AP U.S. and Comparative Government (2) IB/AP Government (2 AP, HL Exam) AP Psychology AP Chemistry IB Chemistry (SL Exam) AP Biology IB/AP Biology (SL Exam AP Physics B IB/AP Physics B (SL Exam) AP Physics C IB/AP Physics C (HL Exam) AP Environmental Science

13. AP – IB Comparisons Both Programs Offer Similar Course Options AP Calculus AB IB Math Studies (SL Exam) AP Calculus BC IB/AP Calculus AB (SL Exam) AP Statistics IB/AP Calculus BC (HL Exam) AP Statistics Offered at Interlake IB World Language (Four Year, SL) AP World Language (Fifth Year) IB/AP World Language (Fifth Year, HL) AP World Literature (Sixth Year) IB/AP World Language (Sixth Year, HL) AP Studio Art IB/AP Art Portfolio (HL or SL) AP Art History AP Computer Science IB Integrated Tech in Global Society (SL) AP Computer Science Offered at Interlake