All About ALP

Greenwich Public Schools serves the top achieving students through the Advanced Learning Program in elementary school, Advanced courses in middle school, and Honors and AP courses in high school. The aim is to provide appropriate learning experiences and intellectual challenges that result in continuous academic growth.

The Grade 2 program uses an enrichment model in reading and math. A student's homeroom teacher remains their primary reading and/or math teacher. Students placed in reading and/or math are pulled out of their homerooms for additional curricula experiences or activities on grade level in reading and/or Math.

The Grades 3, 4, and 5 program uses a replacement model in reading, math, and science. The ALP teacher becomes the student's primary reading, math, and/or science teacher. Instruction is both advanced and, where appropriate, accelerated. Advanced is defined as opportunities to study topics in greater depth or breadth. Acceleration is defined as the presentation of curriculum sooner and at a more rapid pace than the regular curriculum.

The purpose of the placement process is to identify specific academic student needs and match learners with appropriate supplementary services.

Informational videos are available:

Grade 2 ALP Placement Process Informational Video (English transcript, Spanish transcript)

Elementary ALP Placement Process Informational Video (English transcript, Spanish transcript)

The ALP leadership team is hosting Q&A sessions throughout the year about ALP Placement. To accommodate parent schedules, morning and afternoon sessions are being held. Parents are invited to attend either session.

Grade 2: Enrichment Placement Information Sessions

Monday, November 11 at 9:30 AM Zoom link and 7:00 PM Zoom link

Elementary ALP Information Sessions

Tuesday, March 11 at 9:30 AM Zoom link and 7:00 PM Zoom link

Spanish Translation available upon request

Grade 2 Enrichment Placement FAQ

Elementary ALP Placement FAQ

Timelines for ALP and Advanced Studies Placement

Many parents ask for guidance on whether or not they should refer their child for the testing for elementary Advanced Learning Program classes in Grades 3-5.

Reminder: Before you complete a form referring your child for testing, their teachers and administrators make recommendations based on what they see in the classroom and on grade, district, and state assessments. When being asked for parent input, the ALP leadership team would like to provide you with support.

Experts within the field of gifted and advanced education offer the following advice:

Each parent should consider the individual needs of their child. Typically, students who need an advanced level curriculum demonstrate the following characteristics:

• An extreme need for constant mental stimulation

• A need to explore subjects in surprising depth

• An insatiable curiosity, as demonstrated by endless questions and inquiries

• A quirky or mature sense of humor

• Show perseverance on difficult, tiring or frustrating tasks

• Are motivated by the unknown

Children may demonstrate some but not all of these traits; every child is different. Before referring your child for the ALP program, ALP PTAC leaders have weighed in and suggest asking yourself the following questions:

• Can my child independently complete classwork and homework?

• Is my child a hard worker, organized, and able to express himself or herself?

• Does my child show passion and self-motivation for learning?

• Will my child be an enthusiastic contributor to the class?

• Is my child ready and receptive to be challenged academically?

• Does my child exhibit curiosity and inquisitive mindset?

It is important to remember that children develop at different rates and that strengths emerge at different times and points during a student’s school career. For this reason, we provide rigorous on-grade level core content classes designed to foster critical thinking and skills of a range of students, and we offer multiple entry points into accelerated classes over the course of a student’s K-12 learning/academic experience at Greenwich Public Schools.

In March of 2024 the ALP Leadership team presented to parents about:

How do teachers assure that the needs of our high achieving students will be met in their grade level classroom? Learn about how Program Coordinators and the Advanced Learning Program actively work to ensure that the curriculum is both engaging and adequately challenging so classroom teachers are able to provide the best possible opportunities for all of the students in Greenwich.

Video

Transcript

In this new dashboard, users can view data about gifted and/or talented students at the school, district, and state levels and disaggregate data by student groups including race/ethnicity, gender, eligibility for free and reduced-price meals, English Learner/Multilingual Learner status, and Special Education status. For information on how students are identified as Gifted and Talented and requirements for identification and service of these students, please visit the Gifted and Talented webpage.

Our administrator content area curriculum coordinators work alongside ALP facilitator, Ms. Bonnie O'Regan, to create a cohesive experience for our students.

Help facilitate this flow of information by using our group email:

advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us

In doing so, you ensure that when you communicate with one of us,

you communicate with all of us.

We would love to hear from you! Please send us an email, visit our website, or reach out to our Administrative Assistant, Robyn Byron, to schedule a meeting.

Email: advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/advanced-learning-program-alp
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 625-7462