Elementary Highly Capable Programs
Kindergarten - 1st Grade
Kindergarten and first grade students receive a talent development service. Data is reviewed at the end of the students’ first grade year to determine in which subject area(s) the student will be served starting the following year.
Pasco Elementary Schools strive to personalize their highly capable services to the specific students they serve and the patterns of strength those students demonstrate. Because of this, these services may have some or all of the features described below.
- Cluster Grouping: When possible, highly capable first graders will be grouped together in the same classroom, so they have access to both their intellectual peers and their same-age peers for all their social and learning activities.
- Differentiated Instruction: Regular curriculum is modified to increase the depth and complexity of the student’s learning. Modifications may include changes to the learning process, the content, the task completed, and/or the resources used.
- Curriculum Compacting: Students are pre-assessed to determine which skills and content have already been mastered. Curriculum which has already been mastered is eliminated to avoid repetition and increase time for enrichment and acceleration activities.
Why do we provide school-based services?
- To increase access to enrichment, acceleration and increase rigor to traditionally underserved highly capable students.
- To create a challenging learning environment within the context of the regular curriculum and the regular classroom.
- To reinforce proficiency in grade level standards, but progress at an accelerated pace allowing for exposure to above grade level standards.
- To develop the talent of the highest performing students at each of our schools across the district.
- To provide access to highly capable services to students already enrolled in a designated program, such as two-way dual language or bilingual program, who wish to remain in those designated programs.
For more specific information about what your student’s services will include, please contact your child’s school.
Grades 2 - 5
School based highly capable services are curriculum and instruction that is modified in a general education classroom and/or designated programing for the highest performing students at each school.
Students who are recommended school-based services in grades 2-5 will be served in math, reading, or both math and reading based on the selection committee’s recommendation.
Pasco Elementary Schools strive to personalize their highly capable services to the specific students they serve and the patterns of strength those students demonstrate. Because of this, these services may have some or all of the features described below. For more specific information about what your student’s services will include, please contact your child’s school.
- Cluster Grouping: When possible, highly capable first graders will be grouped together in the same classroom, so they have access to both their intellectual peers and their same-age peers for all their social and learning activities.
- Differentiated Instruction: Regular curriculum is modified to increase the depth and complexity of the student’s learning. Modifications may include changes to the learning process, the content, the task completed, and/or the resources used.
- Curriculum Compacting: Students are pre-assessed to determine which skills and content have already been mastered. Curriculum which has already been mastered is eliminated to avoid repetition and increase time for enrichment and acceleration activities.
Why do we provide school-based services?
- To increase access to enrichment, acceleration and increase rigor to traditionally underserved highly capable students.
- To create a challenging learning environment within the context of the regular curriculum and the regular classroom.
- To reinforce proficiency in grade level standards, but progress at an accelerated pace allowing for exposure to above grade level standards.
- To develop the talent of the highest performing students at each of our schools across the district.
- To provide access to highly capable services to students already enrolled in a designated program, such as two-way dual language or bilingual program, who wish to remain in those designated programs.
For more specific information about what your student’s services will include, please contact your child’s school.
Grades 2 - 5 Spectrum and Bilingual Spectrum Services
What is Spectrum?
Spectrum is a rigorous academic program for students who have been identified across the district qualifying for highly capable services in a self-contained classroom. Students who demonstrate exceptional ability when compared to their peers, exceed grade level standards in math and literacy, and demonstrate creativity and strong motivation to excel are often good candidates for the Spectrum program. Students attend the Spectrum program fulltime in grades two through five. Pasco School District has an English Spectrum program and Bilingual Spectrum program.
What is curriculum compacting?
The Spectrum staff modifies, or streamlines, the regular curriculum to eliminate repetition of previously mastered material, upgrades the challenge level of the curriculum, and provides time for appropriate enrichment and/or acceleration activities while ensuring mastery of basic skills. The students are often taught using above grade level materials in literacy and math integrated with science and social studies content.
Why do Spectrum teachers compact the curriculum?
- To create a challenging learning environment within the context of the regular curriculum.
- To reinforce proficiency in grade level standards, but progress at an accelerated pace allowing for exposure to above grade level standards.
- To increase time for enrichment, acceleration and increase rigor.
- To allow time for enhanced projects in science and social studies, conducting of research on topics of interest, and involvement with community projects
Where do Spectrum students go to school?
- Ruth Livingston Elementary School, 2515 Road 84, Pasco
509-546-2688
- Maya Angelou Elementary School, 6001 Road 84, Pasco
509-543-6748
- Rosalind Franklin STEM Elementary, 6010 Road 52, Pasco
509-416-7114
Where do Dual Spectrum students go to school?
- Whittier Elementary, 616 N. Wehe Ave, Pasco
509-543-6750
- Marie Curie STEM Elementary, 715 N. California Ave, Pasco
509-416-7810
- McGee Elementary, 4601 Horizon Dr. Pasco
509-547-6583
- Robert Frost Elementary School, 1915 N. 22nd Ave., Pasco
509-543-6795
*McGee and Marie Curie STEM Elementary are new locations beginning in 2024-2025 school year.
Highly Capable
Contact
Highly Capable Program
509-543-6701
hicap@psd1.org