 PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS From APEX to IB

APEX (Academic Program for the Exceptional)  A special education service designed for students in the Shelby County School System who meet the criteria for intellectually gifted students in the state of TN  Emphasizes: critical thinking, research and study skills, problem-solving, decision making, communication skills, and leadership skills  If you have questions concerning APEX, please contact APEX teacher – Dr. Curry –

APEX  Second (2 nd) Grade --- School-wide screening begins in May (to include teacher checklists, class performance, and achievement test scores)  Placement is made if state requirements for giftedness are met following the state rubric and guidelines.  New Students – Achievement test scores are reviewed when received

APEX  Once placed in APEX, annual IEP meetings are scheduled with re-evaluation every 3 years  Achievement scores are analyzed each year in August for students not meeting the requirements in 2 nd grade or students new to the school  Pullout through 5 th grade, which includes 4 hours per week of gifted services  APEX Language Arts – 6 th, 7 th, and 8th

ENRICHED CLASSES  Enriched Placements are based on a school rubric to include: assessment scores, class performance, and a teacher checklist  Enriched Language Arts – 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th  Enriched Math – 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th

HONORS CLASSES – 8TH  Eligibility is based on rubric completed by teachers  HS Algebra and Physical Science must be taken together  Algebra and Physical Science count as electives in HS – NOT math/science credit  Spanish – must be enrolled in either APEX LA or Enriched LA  At registration – request to be in Spanish

BETA CLUB  Advisors check 1 st semester grades for 7 th and 8 th graders  1 st semester grades must be all A’s with the exception of one B and must have E’s and S’s only  Officers must be in 8 th grade  Officers include: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Historian

STUDENT COUNCIL  Students campaign for Officer Positions  Officers: President – 8 th grader, VP – 7 th, Secretary – 8 th or 7 th, Treasurer – 8 th or 7 th, Business Manager – 8 th, Historian – 8 th  Representatives: Each homeroom in Grades 6, 7, and 8 elect two representatives and one alternate  Officers and Representatives will be expected to maintain an average of at least an 86 in each subject and conduct grade of at least G in all classes for each reporting period.  Officers and Representatives are required to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours of service to worthy community projects

9 th Grade Course Selection  Honors Classes: based on student’s 8 th grade first semester grades, must have maintained A’s to be recommended for Honors Classes  If taking Geometry, must take Biology also  If students are not recommended for Honors – parents may go to the HS Counselors’ Office and request an override  If parent requests override, student may be required to remain in class even if grades are low

REGISTRATION FOR 9 TH GRADE  Parents and students may go on-line and look at HS Catalogs to see classes offered and the prerequisites to enroll in classes  Kathleen Fisher will work with 8 th graders to make Course Selections and complete forms required for enrollment  All 8 th graders must complete GHS 9 th Grade Course Request Form  If not attending GHS, information can be used to complete the application for the HS the student plans to attend  Germantown High School Catalog

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)  The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program is a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum. The objectives of the IB Diploma program are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM AT GHS  Applications may be requested from the IB Coordinator (Dr. Melinda Keller) at GHS – call: ext 248 or  Selection Matrix: GPA, Standardized Test Scores, creative writing sample, innovative illustration, and a personal interview  Go to GHS website for more information  GHS IB Website:

QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION FOR 9 TH CLASSES OR IB  Call or Kathleen Fisher –  Check High School Catalogs on-line  Call HS Counselor  IB – Call or IB Coordinator - Dr. Melinda Keller – or IB Counselor – Sheila Merritt –