Advanced Programming Options

Northville Public Schools offers challenging programs for learners at all levels. Whether it’s a regular classroom or an advanced class, the curriculum, instructors, and other students help provide challenging classroom opportunities. All of these opportunities and challenges culminate at the high school level with many students receiving prestigious awards and other accolades. The Class of 2012 Graduate Profile includes:

• 8 National Merit Finalists
• 7 National Merit Commended Students
• 1 National Merit Semi-Finalist
• 1 National Merit Special Scholarship Candidate
• 76 Phi Beta Kappa Students
• 145 Students graduating with Cum Laude (GPA 3.0 - 3.49)
• 103 Students graduating Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.5 - 3.79)
• 69 Students graduating Summa Cum Laude (GPA 3.8 - 4.0)
• 88 President’s Award for Educational Excellence

ELEMENTARY LEVEL
Regular Education Classroom
At the elementary level, teachers in the regular education classrooms employ different strategies to meet the educational needs of the learners. Strategies depend upon the goals for the group and needs of the learners. Some strategies include: cluster grouping where students with similar academic needs learn together for a specific subject area; differentiation which can affect materials, format, or rate of instruction; curriculum enrichment for students who demonstrate the need for additional challenge on a particular standard; and grade level math acceleration for students who demonstrate understanding of the standards within their current grade.

Alternative Learning Program for Students
The Alternative Learning Program for Students (ALPS) is designed to meet the unique educational needs of academically talented students. At the elementary level, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are transported from their home school to attend Amerman Elementary School where they receive their entire academic instruction. ALPS provides classroom interaction with similar learning peers and employs the learning strategies as described above for other classrooms in Northville Public Schools. Approximately five percent of Northville Public School (NPS) students in grades 3 through 5 qualify for this differentiated program experience. Entry into this program is based upon qualifying scores from multiple data points. 

►  See Elementary Programs for more information.

MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL
There are two academic course opportunities for qualifying middle school students: Academic Resource (AR) and accelerated math or honors math placement. They are designed to challenge and accelerate student thinking. Both the AR and math courses meet one period daily. The rest of the day, students learn with their regular education peers in core and elective courses.

Academic Resource
Academic Resource class serves the needs of qualifying students who need a more challenging enrichment option. The subject topics are derived from core curriculum: science, social studies, English Language Arts, and student interests. The class activities are more project oriented and focus on developing higher levels of thinking and problem-solving strategies. Students utilize research skills to interpret a variety of materials and then demonstrate learning in creative, divergent ways. Entry into this program is based upon qualifying scores from multiple data points. 

Honors and Accelerated Math Tiers
Northville Public Schools offers three math tiers: On-level, Accelerated, and Honors. The students in the On-level tier learn grade-level math concepts as defined by the national Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and will be prepared to enroll in Algebra 1 in ninth grade. Students in the Accelerated tier dig deeper into the on-level CCSS standards, learn some next-level concepts and will be prepared to enroll in Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Students in the Honors tier focus on concepts from the current and next grade level and will be prepared for Honors Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Students are selected for these tiers based upon spring and fall NWEA math scores, MEAP, other district-administered tests, and classroom performance.

Math Acceleration
Students in the Honors tier have an opportunity to test out of the next level math course because of their high knowledge level and competency of the Math Common Core State Standards (CCSS) requirements.
 

►  Academic Resource (AR)

►  Honors and Accelerated Math

►  Math Grade Acceleration - 6th Grade

►  Math Grade Acceleration - 7th Grade

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
Northville High School offers a comprehensive college-prep curriculum for students in grades 9-12. Students have approximately 190 educational options including many Honors and Advanced Placement Courses. The Class of 2012 Graduate Profile included 948 AP tests taken with an 86% passing rate.

Course Acceleration
Students may place out of a course and advance to a higher level because of their degree of skill or performance level. They may test out of a course because of their high knowledge level and competency of the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) or CCSS course requirements.
For specific questions about high school level acceleration, please contact the high school office or counseling department (248-344-8420).

Placing Out
Students may request to place out of a high school level course because of their advanced knowledge and skills. This occurs within the Business & Computer courses and the arts.

The term “placement testing” gives the student the option to waive the prerequisite requirements in order to appropriately place the student in a more difficult course. Successful completion of the testing does not result in earned credit toward graduation, nor is there any notation on the student’s transcript. Placement testing does not assess all the course requirements and guidelines as defined by the Michigan Merit Curriculum. Rather it tests a certain skill set that the student needs to demonstrate in order to progress to the next level course.

For specific questions about high school level placement testing, please contact the high school Counseling Department or course teacher.

Testing Out
High School testing out applies to situations in which students demonstrate competency of MMC or CCSS course content expectations or guidelines and receive credit toward graduation for that specific course for which they have successfully completed the “test out”. A student enrolled in high school, but not enrolled in a particular course, may be granted credit in the course by demonstrating a reasonable level of mastery. Successful completion of the test-out exam is achieved by attaining an 85% or above for honors level courses and a C+ (77%) or above for regular education courses. A passing grade on the test will appear on the student’s transcript as a credit, but will not count towards the student’s GPA. Instead, the grade will be listed as “G”. Applications are due May 31, 2013 and testing is June 14.

The high school office will notify parents when the test is to be given and the test results as soon as possible. Note that there are neither appeals nor retakes.

►  See High School Programs for more information