1. IRWIN ACADEMIC CENTER

2. IRWIN ACADEMIC CENTER to
WELCOME

3. OPEN HOUSE AGENDA Welcome General Information Building Tour
Program Details
Q & A

4. to become a model of excellence
Vision...
to become a model of excellence
in the education
of gifted
and talented students.

5. 21st century problem solvers
MISSION...
to foster high academic achievement and the growth of creative & critical thinkers, lifelong learners, involved citizens, and
21st century problem solvers
by providing a nurturing, challenging, and innovative program that engages gifted and talented students, their families, and the community.

6. School Improvement Goals...
1. Increase number of students who show positive growth 2. Create Professional Learning Communities 3. Increase the number of community partnerships

7. Our Home: Irwin Avenue Historic building &beautiful campus
Uptown Charlotte means minutes from museums, Discovery Place, ImaginOn, Children’s Theater, and more
Connected to Ray’s Splash Planet
We’re growing!

8. General School Information
Academic Program
Full Magnet
Learning Immersion
Talent Development
Student Enrollment:
485 in
Student School Hours
9:15 - 4:15
Before &After School Care
7:00-8:45 a.m.
4:15-6:00 p.m.

9. Demographic Profile Year African American White Asian Hispanic
Multi-Racial*
Totals # %
10-11
195
60% 58
18% 43
13% 5 2% 20 7%
322
100%

10. Transportation: Gray & Violet Zones (northern half of county)
South West Academic Zone
Your location and home school is a small factor in the lottery

11. Let’s Check out the building!
Let’s Check out the building
Please join us for a tour & meet our student ambassadors!

12. General Information
K-5 students receive a full day of rigorous, academically challenging, research-based instruction which provides opportunities for students to achieve their fullest potential.
K-2 LI program does not guarantee studentsadmittance into TD BUTprovides a strong foundation
Classroom teachers have gifted certification or are in the process of being certified. One third has National Board certification.
Full time Talent Development Lead Teacher supports teachers during planning & instruction.
Lottery entrance only – - there is no entrance test to be admitted - essential that LI/TD expectations are clear

13. Irwin’s Magnet Themes or K-2 Learning Immersion 3-5 Talent Development
All K-2 students begin on this acceleratedpath
*All 2nd graders are screened for TD
Students participate in an accelerated enrichment instructional program
*Only K-2 non-certified Irwin students
TD certified students receive differentiated educational services for their unique needs or

14. Characteristics of a K-2 Learning Immersion Child:
Has a large vocabulary
Shows strong memory and quick recall
Carries out complex instructions with ease
Is curious, asks provocative questions
Offers unique answers
Accepts and carries out responsibilities
Works well independently
* See handout for a questionnaire

15. GIFTEDNESS: Federal Definition
Students, children, or youth who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific academic fields, and who need services and activities not ordinarily provided by the school in order to fully develop those capabilities.

16. GIFTEDNESS:

17. TD Certification Process:
* ALL CMS second graders are assessed.
CoGAT = 96% or >
GATEWAY 1
CoGAT + ITBS = 93% or > avg percentile
GATEWAY 2
Gifted Rating Scales
AND
CoGAT& ITBS = % avg percentile
GATEWAY 3
GRS & 92% or >
OR TD Work Sample Portfolio *all Irwin 2nd graders complete
GATEWAY 4

18. What Makes A Good Leader by Jerome
Portfolio Samples:
What Makes A Good Leader by Jerome
A good leader must be intelligent kind and listen to other people. I think I am a good leader. I get a lot of hundreds on my work and I am responsible. Jason, Sherril and other kids in my class say I’m smart. Friday is kickball day. They pick me for captain because I pick girls and boys for my team. I’m fair. Sometimes they argue and grumble about the kick. I stop the argument by telling them lets vote. My class picked me for student council. I had to write a speech and make signs. I organized some of my friends to help me. I like going to student council. Its like being in congress. We tell are ideas and vote for the one we want. Some day I want to be a congress man. I would be fair and make good laws. The End. * Advanced Language * Analytical Thinking
* Algebraic Thinking

19. PARENT expectations
Read & reinforce concepts with your student every day!
Get Involved!
- Volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per year
- Join the PTA, the School Leadership Team, Tutor, Be a Room Parent or a Reading Buddy!
Encourage your child to make the most out of the rigorous course work while enjoying other aspects of school & learning.

20. What Does Instruction Look Like At Irwin?
What Does Instruction Look Like At Irwin

21. Innovative Strategies
Use of …
Experiential Learning
Differentiation: Curriculum Compacting, contracts, small groups, pre-tests
Problem & Project Based Learning
Critical & Creative Thinking
Interdisciplinary, accelerated, challenging units of study

22. Innovative Strategies
Use of …
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Seminars
Collaborative groups
Technology
Hands-on learning
Junior Great Books
William and Mary Curriculum
Rubrics
Integrated Special Areas
Guest speakers
Current events

23. ?
How are we different

24. How are we different? Instruction CMS Irwin Academic Center
Learning Letters in Kindergarten
Learn one letter per week
Learn one letter per day- the sound and how to write it
Imagine It! Reading Series
Complete one story
per week
Complete one story in
two-three days
Science
&Social Studies
Focus on reading and math
Integrated and focused on multiple days/wk
Innovative Strategies
Randomly used
Consistently implemented

25. How are we different? Instruction CMS Irwin Academic Center
Kindergarten DIBELS Test
Initial Sound
Letter Naming
Phoneme Segmentation Nonsense Word
CMS Goals Average benchmarks
5, 27, 15, 13 on the four fluency measures
Irwin Goals
Advanced benchmarks
40, 50, 30, 40 on the four fluency measures
Report Cards
K-2 Report Card
Standards-Based Report Card
PTA
Curriculum Support
Varies
Very active and involved parents which provide services and more than $75,000 in curriculum support and professional development

26. Extracurricular Opportunities
Tuition
Funded
Opportunities
Before School Clubs
Enrichment
Activities
Extracurricular
Opportunities
Service
Opportunities
In School
Clubs
School-wide events

27. Samples of Extracurricular Opportunities
Enrichment Activities
Weekly Spanish for K-5!
Math Super Stars
Geography Bee
Accelerated Reader
Character Education
Before School
Chess Club
Odyssey of the Mind
Tuition Funded
Mad Science
Play Spanish
Service Opportunities
National Honor Society
Student Council
School Wide Events
Musicals
United Nations
In School Clubs
All students participate based on interest
Ex. Math & Science Olympiad, Robotics, Cooking

28. School Achievements:
Magnet Schools of America “School of Distinction” & “School of EXCELLENCE” 2011
Honor School of Excellence under the state’s ABC goals for more than a decade.
North Carolina Honor School of Excellence – High Achievement and High Growth.
Fourteen Years Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP Growth)

29. Student Recognitions Nine State Math Fair Champions
Three State Science Fair Champions
Two State Chess Championships
National State Chess Champion (First Grader)
Two Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Winners and two Art Winners
One Young Author & Illustrator First Place Winner
Two Odyssey of the Mind Teams (advanced to world competition)
National Geography Bee participation in the state competition
2nd Place in Fire and Life Safety Bowl
5th Place winner at the 2011 US Kids Golf Foundation World Championship (Fourth Grader)

30. 2010 Test Data 97% EOG Reading 100% EOG Math
96% EOG Fifth Grade Science

31. Questions?
Thank you for visiting!

32. Learn More…
Our school website
PTA website
Principal
Literacy Facilitator
TD Coordinator