AAA/Gate Home Page
Got Talent?
How does the AAA/Gate Program work specifically at Dana Hills High School?
Our Website!
In addition to the services outlined below, the Dana Hills AAA/Gate Program website has been created to serve as a communications link with gifted and talented students, their parents, and teachers. Our world today needs the gifts and talents of our young people recognized and nurtured as never before, and it is our hope that this website will be visited by all who have an abiding interest in pursuing that great objective. It is hoped that this AAA/Gate website will be a valuable tool to all students who wish to expand their horizons. You don't have to be designated "gifted and talented" to be such, and most great futures are made by those who simply have faith in themselves and a will to succeed. This website is for all students who make that their goal.
Let's Get Together!
If two brilliant minds are better than one, imagine what 550 can do. That is the current number of AAA/Gate designated students at Dana Hills High School. We hope that our website will be a useful tool of communication in pursuing some wonderful and worthwhile opportunities. If you learn of something new, contact either Andy Sims asims@capousd or Mary Anne Fenstermaker mafenstermaker@capousd.
How does a student receive the designation of "gifted and/or talented" and gain admittance into the CUSD AAA/Gate Program?
The Capistrano Unified School District admits students in grades 2-10 into its AAA/Gate Program through an objective standardized measure which is administered in January of each academic year. Once a student is admitted into the AAA/Gate program, they remain in it for the entirety of their academic life within CUSD, although parents may opt to drop their students from the program at any time. To be eligible to take the January test, students may be recommended by both parents and teachers. However, the most common method used to determine eligibility is through the district's annual analysis of every students' regular standardized test scores in basic academic subjects. For students in grades two through eight, the "Core" test is used, measuring abilities in both language and math. In grades 9 and 10 the "STAR" test is used, measuring similar skills. Students scoring above 90% in both areas are invited to take the January test which measures gifted ability in children between the ages of 7 and 15. Students who have English as their second language are administered a language-free form of the test. In certain cases, students may also be admitted into the AAA/Gate program on the basis of a portfolio of their work. Please see the Capistrano School District AAA/Gate Program Website www.capousd.org/aaa for more specific information about this. Parent permission is required for both the January test-taking and participation in the AAA/Gate program in general.
How does the Capistrano Unified School District accommodate gifted and talented students in the High School level curriculum?
At its five high schools throughout the Capistrano Unified School District, gifted and talented education is pursued primarily through the provision of "accelerated classes" at the Freshman and Sophomore levels (ie, "English I Accelerated, Algebra I Accelerated" ); at the Junior and Senior levels, gifted and talented students may pursue coursework in numerous Advanced Placement subjects which provide introductory college-level curriculum (see the "Advanced Placement" link on this website).
Another opportunity for gifted and talented high school students at Dana Hills exists within our specialized "academies." Dana Hills High School hosts two very special focus programs: (SOCSA) The South Orange County School of Arts and (HMO) Health and Medical Occupations Academy. The curriculum within these academies provides both core academic subjects and specialized courses leading to early experiences in these two career fields. Each of these academies provides information about their programs on their own web links, via dhhs.net.
Are there other provisions for gifted and talented education through C.U.S.D.?
The California Education Code, Chapter 8, requires that every school district administer the AAA/Gate Program within each of its regular elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Depending on the state fiscal budget and changing school district budgets each year, individual schools are provided with funds to administer the AAA/Gate Program on their campuses. At Dana Hills High School, funds are allocated to each academic department to purchase books and equipment which will enhance the learning experience in Accelerated and Advanced Placement classes. Funds are also allocated to provide teachers of Accelerated and A.P. classes with ongoing teacher development opportunities and field trips for students.
In addition, CUSD provides for enrichment and acceleration through its agreement with Saddleback Community College. Please see the weblink "College Coursework for Acceleration and Enrichment" on this website.
The AAA/Gate Program administered at the CUSD district level can be reached at their website capousd.org/aaa. This site provides specific information about how the program works and how students gain admittance to it. In addition, the district office provides a venue for parent involvement. The district holds three AAA/Gate parent meetings a year in their Board chamber to inform and consult with parents regarding gifted and talented issues. The dates for each of these meetings in 2004-05 are listed on the front page of this website. If you would like to be a regular attendant at the meetings or volunteer on an irregular basis, please contact me at asims@capousd.org. I am always look for parent volunteers to attend the district meetings.