Welcome to Advanced Academics and Talent Development at Discovery! Please take a look through the helpful links in the menu on the left to discover more about what Discovery has to offer our growing scholars.
In Class Services
At Discovery, we use the collaborative cluster model. Students eligible for gifted services will be cluster grouped in a particular subject area.
A cluster group is a class with at at least five and up to around eight students who are identified for gifted services in that specific subject area.
The cluster group teacher is the primary differentiator, with support from the Advanced Academic Coach, or “AAC.” Support may look different in various grade levels, depending on teacher and student needs.
AAC-Provided Services
The AAC collaborates with grade-level teams to plan and implement advanced content, such as:
- Socratic Seminars
- Simulations
- Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies
The AAC also encourages instructional practices to provide support for differentiating instruction, including:
- Flexible Grouping Models
- Extensions
- Choice boards for extension and practice
- Book Groups
- Passion Projects / Genius Hour / Problem Based Learning
Working with teachers to find and nurture students that may need more academic challenge, the AAC is available to any student who wants to pursue an idea or needs a sounding board.
Resources
- National Association for Gifted Children
- Virginia Association for the Gifted
- Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy
- Odyssey of the Mind
Professional photography by Brenda Schrier at www.BrendasPhotos.com and Katie Standley at www.KatieRosePhotos.com.