Taft Charter’s Academic Programs
Choice is a good thing…as long as you have enough information to make an informed decision. Below you’ll find information regarding each of Taft’s academic programs.
Gifted STEAM Magnet Program
* For gifted, highly gifted and high ability students who are offered a rigorous and challenging interdisciplinary curriculum
* Prepare for a STEAM career pathway in college:
o Engineering Design or
o Computer Science
Engineering Design Pathway Courses Offered
:
Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering Design, Engineering Development and Design and Aerospace Engineering
Computer Science Pathway Courses Offered
:
AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Programming and Game Design, and AP Computer Science A
Eligibility
* Students must be identified as gifted, highly gifted or high achieving by testing by a LAUSD psychologist
* Students may be verified as gifted by test scores and grades
Application Process
* Application is available online through the Choices brochure at apply.lausd.net
* On-time application is due in early November each year
* Late application is available in February
Selection Process
* Students are selected by LAUSD in priority by Magnet points and ethnicity
* Parents are notified of the selection in March
* School sites do not control the enrollment/selection process
Academy of Integrated Arts and Technology Program (AIAT)
* Addresses the needs of gifted and twice exceptional students
* Provides a unique learning environment offering:
o arts-integrated education with academic rigor, development of interpersonal and social-emotional learning
o real life work-related experiences to ensure success in college and the workplace for gifted and twice exceptional students.
Classroom Setting
* Full inclusion general education classroom
* Co-taught by a general and special education teachers with a paraprofessional
* Small class size of 20-24 students
* One-to-One Technology
Admissions Criteria for General Education GATE Student
* Must be a current 8th or 9th grade student
* Must be gifted in Intellectual or High Achievement
* Must have grades of A or B in honors-level classes from current school of attendance
* Must have no record of behavior or discipline actions
* Must have the ability to work well in group situations
* Must be considerate, tolerant, patient and helpful
* Must exhibit behavior contributing to a positive classroom environment
Required Documents & Application Timeline
* A copy of the student’s middle school transcript (6th grade-8th grade fall semester records)
* A copy of the most current spring semester report card (5 or 10 week)
* A copy of the student’s standardized test scores (if not reflected on the transcript)
* Applications need be submitted between February 25 through March 29, 2019 to the Counseling Office
School of Advanced Studies (SAS)
* Prepares students to be successful in Honors, Advanced Placement, and college courses
* Students may receive college credit by successfully completing Advanced Placement courses and earning a score of 3 or higher on College Board exams
* Provides academic challenges for students ready to perform at the highest level of learning
* Goal is to prepare students to become respectable leaders in their communities and intelligent, productive members of society
* Two programs are offered in the SAS:
o Individualized Honors Program for the highly gifted student
o Traditional Honors Program for the gifted student
Criteria for the Individualized Honors Program
* Grade of A in Honors-level academic courses
* An occasional B in elective courses
* “Standards Exceeded” on the SBAC test in Math and English
* Verification of a score of 99.5 - 99.9% on an intellectual test administered by LAUSD GATE Psychological Services for highly gifted identification (the highly gifted identification does not solely determine placement)
Criteria for the Traditional Honors Program
* Grade of A or B in Honors-level and academic courses
* An occasional B in elective courses
* “Standards Met” on the SBAC test in Math and English
Required Documents & Application Timeline
* A copy of the student’s middle school transcript (6th grade-8th grade fall semester records)
* A copy of the most current spring semester report card (5 or 10 week)
* A copy of the student’s standardized test scores (if not reflected on the transcript)
* Applications need be submitted between February 25 through March 29, 2019 to the Counseling Office
Humanitas Program
* Academically Enriched coursework
* Designed for traditional students who want to be challenged beyond the standard curriculum
* Discussion-focused, in-depth interdisciplinary program where teaching is done thematically
* Homework more manageable
* Students graduate with a post-graduation plan, 75-80% students attend college
Coursework and Classroom Setting
* Students stay together all 4 years
* Proscribed courses
o 9th grade: English, Biology, Video Production
o 10th grade: English, History, AP Human Geography
o 11th grade: English, US History, Chemistry
o 12th grade: English, Government/Economics
* Coordinated projects and essays across classes
Selection Process
* Students self-select by notifying Taft counselor of their interest in Humanitas
Pierce IGETC Articulation Program
* New program beginning 2019-2020 school year for incoming 9th grade students
* Designed for high school students to earn college credit to fulfill the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) while earning a high school degree concurrently
* Will prepare students to transfer to a four year university, improve the high school graduation rate, achieve college and career readiness and expand dual enrollment opportunities for higher education
Curriculum Design
* Students will enroll in two college courses each semester
* Students will enroll in four high school courses each semester
* All classes will be offered at Taft’s campus during the regular school day
Eligibility and Application Process
* A minimum of 3.0 GPA from middle school required
* More information will follow as the program is still in the development state
