The Seattle Public Schools Advanced Learning office provides for the learning needs of students who are academically gifted, academically highly gifted, and high achievers/motivated learners through programs that provide rigorous and accelerated curricula.

• Accelerated Progress Program (APP)
  (Grades 1-12)
• Spectrum (Grades 1-8)
• Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO)
  (Grades 1-8)
• Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (Grades 9-12)

Current Issues

Math Placement for Entering 6th Grade Middle School Students

For Spectrum and Accelerated Progress Program students who missed the opportunity to take the 6th grade math placement test, there will be a summer test session. The test will be offered on August 20, 2009, at Hamilton Middle School, at 9:00 a.m., check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Students must be currently assigned to a middle school for the 2009-2010 school year. To pre-register, e-mail rcvaughan@seattleschools.org, enter Math Placement Test in the subject line, and provide the student name, Seattle Public School ID number, and the name of the student's assigned school. Bring your school assignment letter with you and a #2 pencil.

Testing for Eligibility as Academically Highly Gifted or Academically Gifted

Testing for eligibility as Academically Highly Gifted or Academically Gifted is necessary for enrollment in the Accelerated Progress Program (APP) and/or the Spectrum program. The deadline to apply for the 2008-2009 fall/winter testing cycle was October 8, 2008. Advanced Learning tested over 4000 students during this testing cycle. Letters of eligibility have all been mailed and testing has been completed. Nomination forms for the 2009-2010 testing cycle will be available in September 2009. (See below for Summer Testing information.)

Advanced Placement Examinations (High School Students Only)

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) exams are administered in May. In May 2009 more than 1800 students from eleven Seattle Public Schools high schools took over 3000 exams in 23 subject areas. These exams culminate a full year of rigorous course work and represent the hard work of high school students and their teachers. See Advanced Placement for more information.

Summer Testing for Eligibility as Academically Highly Gifted and Academically Gifted

Summer testing is available only for students who relocated to the city of Seattle after October 1, 2008 and were unable to participate in the fall/winter testing cycle. All students must establish residency and enroll with Seattle Public Schools by August 12, 2009. See Forms for Summer Information Packets and Parent/Guardiant Permission Forms. The deadline to apply for summer testing is June 18, 2009.

Accelerated Progress Program (APP) Review

Accelerated Progress Program Advisory Committee (APPAC)

The Accelerated Progress Program Advisory Committee is a group of 15 volunteer parents and staff officially charged and appointed by the Superintendent of Seattle Schools to advise the District on behalf of the Accelerated Progress Program (APP). The committee will have the following six positions open for the 2009-10 academic year: Secretary, Washington Middle School Parent Representative, Garfield High School Parent Represetative, Communications Representative, Lowell Staff Representative, Washington Middle School Staff Representative.

If you are interested or would like to apply, please contact committee chair, Stephanie Bower stbower@comcast.net. Applications are due by noon on June 1, 2009.

See Parent Advisories for more information.