Highly Capable Program
2012 - 2013
7th and 8th Grade
VHS -Highly Capable
• Students who are in 7th and 8th grade
and have been accepted into the
Highly Capable Program are being
offered a choice of VHS classes or
group research as options.
• VHS is an online high school class
• VHS seats are limited and are made
available based on a ranking system.
VHS -Highly Capable Program
• Students can choose to participate by semester
so they can balance their commitments to the
program with other activities they may
participate in.
• Students can access their class through the
Internet 24/7. You may need to download some
programs to play videos or features on some
websites. These programs would be free and
available on the Internet. You need to have
better than dial up Internet access at home to
participate in VHS.
Highly Capable - VHS
•If the class requires software you will only
receive one copy for home use (students
who move between residences will need a
laptop with Internet access).
•Students are expected to complete VHS
work during our scheduled vacations. If a
student will not have access to a computer
he or she needs to notify Ms. Kelley and
their instructor.
High School Considerations
• Students do not receive credits that count
toward graduation from Chariho High School
• Students may test out of a course they have
taken through VHS if it is a required class or one
that is a pre-requisite for another class
• Students must receive a grade of 80 or better to
test out of a class
High School Considerations
• Transcripts will indicate that a student has taken
a VHS class
• Students can include work from their VHS class
in their senior portfolio
VHS Scheduling: Flexibility is the
Key!
• We will work with the
student, family, and team
to come up with a plan that
will try to address the best
interests of the student in
implementing this program.
Students will be scheduled
to come to work in the
library for one block per
day five days a week.
VHS site: www.govhs.org
• Students are
required to take a
demo course before
registering.
• Demo courses can be
found under the
“Academics” tab on
the VHS Website
www.govhs.org
VHS Site: www.govhs.org
• Students can also try a Pre-Student Survey
questionnaire to help determine if VHS is a good
match for them. The survey can be found under
the “Info For” tab by following the link for
“Students”
• Primary considerations:
– Students work on computers in the library and
leave their teams one block per day to do so
– VHS teachers will respond but not instantly so
students need to develop time management
skills
Course Selection
• To see what classes are offered, please go to
the VHS website. Click on the “Academics” tab.
On the left side menu you will see a link for VHS
Catalog. Follow this link and choose “High
School Courses for Middle School Students”.
These are the courses your child has to choose
from. The “Offering section” of each course
description tells what semesters it will be
available. Look closely at the Level of the class.
“Honors” classes are very difficult and time
consuming. It is best to try a “Standard” class if
it is the first time a student has taken a VHS
course.
Course Selection
• We prefer to teach students Algebra here at
CMS. Math is a difficult subject to learn online. If
you child needs advanced work in math please
speak to us and we will handle it internally.
• Prior experience would make us not recommend
Intro to Chemistry. It is an extremely difficult
course for students who have not completed
Algebra. The same can be said for Video Game
Design Using Game Maker.
Course Selection
• Young Adult Literature does have some mature
themes. You can check the course description
for the books that will be used in the course.
• Democracy in America has very high level
reading and some mature themes. It would not
be recommended for 7th grade students.
• Check out the prerequisites listed on the VHS
Website on the “Academics” tab with the link to
the VHS Catalog while trying to determine what
courses will be a good fit
VHS- Highly Capable
• VHS classes are expensive and we ask that
students make a commitment to working hard to
complete them
• VHS classes on average require an additional
five to six hours a week on top of the in-school
scheduled time of one block per day
• Team teachers will work hard to make
accommodations for VHS students
Highly Capable Research Group
• A research group will
be scheduled for
each semester.
• The group will meet
three times per week.
Highly Capable Research Group
• Scheduling of the group is based on staff
availability and is not flexible
• Teachers will make accommodations for
students in the research group
Highly Capable Research Group
• Work time outside of the scheduled school day
may be up to three hours per week.
• They will engage in a research project that will
focus on the integration of technology and the
creation of projects that reflect an intellectually
challenging research question
Mix and Match
• Scheduling allows students to participate in the
program for one semester or two.
• Students can mix taking a VHS course one
semester with participating in the research group
another semester as long as VHS seats are
available.
Any Questions or Concerns
• Kate Kelley
• 364-0651 ext 2240
• [email protected]
Highly Capable Program
• Thank you for
your time and
consideration.
We hope this will
be a wonderful
opportunity for
our students!