The House of Arts Letters and Sciences Academy (HALS Academy) is a small middle school for identified gifted and high achieving students committed to proving a unique learning experience to develop and promote academic excellence and leadership.
HALS Mission
The mission of the House of Arts, Letters, and Sciences Academy is to address the unique needs of our gifted and high achieving students in order to develop their potential. Educational experiences at HALS Academy will provide students with a challenging, rigorous, data driven relevant, and researched based educational program to lead them to future success as fulfilled, productive and responsible citizens and leaders in the twenty-first century.
Expectations for student learning have been tailored specifically to the needs of the HALS Academy student body to bring us closer to our beliefs and shared vision. They are based on research, district priorities, and accumulated data and feedback from stakeholders. They are:
- 95% of all HALS students will score at proficient levels or higher on CMTs in reading
- 95% of all HALS students will score at proficient levels or higher on CMTs in math
- 95% of all HALS students will score at proficient levels or higher on CMTs in writing
- HALS Academy students will meet or exceed AYP in all areas on the CMT including subgroups
- 95% of all HALS students will demonstrate student behavior that fosters a commitment to a safe, orderly, and supportive school environment
- High rigor and high relevance will be infused into the HALS educational program
Brand Experience
- A smaller learning community
- Opportunities to learn with students of similar abilities and interests
- Emphasis on higher order thinking
- Accelerated Learning
- High school level courses in Grade 8
- Documented evidence of high achievement on CMTs
- Challenging and rigorous curriculum designed for the high potential learners
- Specialized coursework in gifted education
- Systematic relevance incorporated into learning and school structure
- Chinese Study
- Outlets for high level of creative expression through the arts including multicultural arts and guitar study
- Technology infused into classroom practice
- Junior Great Books
- Micro-Society
- Gateway Program
- Focus on student outcomes as defined in the districts Framework for Gifted Education
- Partnerships with CCSU and community organizations
- Opportunities for personalized learning and independent research.
- College and career exploration
- Emphasis on the development of communication and workplace social skills.
- Preparation for leadership in the 21st century
- Differentiated learning based on student learning profiles
Brand Measures
Anecdotal |
- Parent, Student and Faculty Surveys
- Focus Group Discussion
- Student Portfolios
- Logs of Activities and Events
- Curriculum Materials and Plans
|
Formative Assessment |
- Student Grades
- Classroom Tests and Evaluations
- DCMTs
- Writing Folders
- Academic Acceleration Assessments
|
Summative Assessment |
- Connecticut Mastery Testing
- College Board Results for selected students
- NWEA Testing
- Mid-Term and Final Exams
|
