Advanced Learning Opportunities

Goal
Our Goal is to create and maintain an Advance Learning Opportunities Program that:

• serves our highest performing students, regardless of whether or not a child is designated as APP or Spectrum by the district;
• nurtures and inspires students performing above standards through rigorous and engaging activities;
• has measurable goals aligned with the Academic Standards.

What are Advanced Learning Opportunities Schools (ALOS)?

ALOS are grades 1-8 programs that serve the needs of district-identified students who are academically gifted, AND teacher-identified students who demonstrate skills and readiness for participation in an accelerated, rigorous and enriched curriculum. Although all of the existing Seattle ALOS are different, service delivery is typically provided in the homeroom class through an inclusive approach with an emphasis on differentiated instruction and flexible grouping. In addition to focusing on rigorous mathematics and reading instruction, ALOS foster development of communication, thinking, learning, and social skills.

For Seattle Public Schools explanation and descriptions of ALO Programs click here.

The Laurelhurst Elementary School community has been creating meaningful learning experiences, that stimulate creativity and critical thinking while providing a firm foundation in the basics for years. With an average of 96% of Laurelhurst Grade 3 – 5 students passing the WASL Reading and 84% of Grade 3 – 5 students passing the WASL Math, providing a variety of rigorous and enrichment opportunities for advance learners has been a necessity. In December 2004, Laurelhurst Elementary became certified by the school district as an Advance Learning Opportunities (ALO) School.

Just as different students learn in different ways, different teachers have different means of engaging and challenging students. Over the years, the Laurelhurst staff has been using a variety of strategies and classroom models to differentiate instruction and extend curriculum rigor and depth for advance learners. Some years the Advance Learning Opportunities Program looks the same, and other years, it has a different twist. Below is a list of some of the many strategies and opportunities that the Laurelhurst staff provides to give advance learners complex, ambiguous, provocative, and/or personally or emotionally challenging content to grapple with:

Strategies to Meet the Needs of Advanced Learners

• Integrated & Multidisciplinary Learning
• Rigorous Curricula
• Tiered assignments
• Higher Level Questioning
• Inquiry
• Flexible Groupings
• Literature Circles & Reading Groups
• Writer's Workshop 
• Learning Centers
• Technology Integration
• Project Based Learning Activities
• Individual Learning Projects
• Student Interest Surveys 

To view Laurelhurst’s ALO Certification Report that includes descriptions of the terms click here:

Laurelhurst’s Enrichment & Challenge Program

One small piece of Laurelhurst’s Advance Learning Opportunities (ALO) Program is the Enrichment & Challenge Program. Since the 2003 – 2004 school year, the Laurelhurst PTA has funded a part-time (.6) certified teacher to help challenge students at Laurelhurst Elementary. This 2007-2008 school year, the Math Specialist will also support students by enriching the schools math and science programs. The two specialist will work to provide enrichment opportunities for students in Kindergarten through Grade Five.

Prepared by:
Kate Larocque
Laurelhurst Elementary
T, W, Th
voicemail: 252-5433|
email: cjlarocque@seattleschools.org