1. AURORA QUEST K-8 DAVE SCHOENHALS, PRINCIPAL KIM PIPPENGER, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CASEY POWELL, DEAN OF STUDENTS NATALIE JOHNSON, TEACHING PARTNER/GT FACILITATOR ELLEN KRUSCHWITZ TEACHING PARTNER ERIN GRAVES, COUNSELOR A Choice School for Academic Excellence

2. Philosophy. We work together to meet all students’ academic and needs. We own the success of our students. We work together to meet all students’ academic and affective needs. We own the success of our students affective

3. Vision To be an exemplary school that develops creative and innovative thinkers and leaders who are driven by our guiding principles, and seek opportunities to extend and apply their learning beyond the walls of our school.

4. Future Quest 2015-2016  Summer Session and Clubs aligned with the school vision(e.g. STEM, Minecraft, Young Engineers, Stock Market, Cyber Patriots, Poetry, Robotics, Critters)  Each grade-level team will plan and implement a Signature Experience OR Service Learning Experience AND opportunities for Showcase Learning.

5. Instructional Practices & Authentic Learning Experiences Teach and use interactive instructional practices…  Open-ended questions and learning tasks  Inquiry approaches  Critical thinking skills  Metacognition strategies

6. Curriculum Literacy  College of William & Mary  Junior Great Books  Units of Study (writing) Mathematics  K-5 Investigations  5-8 th Connected Mathematics/CORE Mathematics  Engage New York  Project M2/M3 Science  Foss  College of William & Mary  Active Physics Social Studies  My World  DBQ (Document Based Questions)  College of William & Mary

7. Affective Development Goals:  Develop self-understanding, leadership and interpersonal skills  Develop emotional intelligence  Explore career options *Addressed during RISE/Advisement Time

8. Affective Development Guiding Principles: Respect Adaptability Compassion Excellence Integrity Perseverance Responsibility Courage

9. Aurora Quest K8 May 7 th and 8 th

17. Clubs  Guitar Club  Drama Club  Poetry Club  Choir  Art Club  Critter Club  Chess Club  Yearbook  Robotics  Math Club  NJHS  Stock Market  Magic the Gathering  Minecraft  Cyber Patriots

18. Sports (6 th - 8 th Graders)  Boys and Girls Track (Separate Teams)  Girls Swimming & Diving  Girls Volleyball  Girls and Boys Soccer (Separate Teams)  Boys and Girls Wrestling  Girls and Boys Basketball (Separate Teams)

19. Who Should Apply? Students entering grades 1 st through 8 th who have been identified as Gifted and Talented or High Potential at their home school and are:  Complex thinkers  In need of a challenging environment  Motivated to learn in and/or out of school

20. Kindergarten  Verbal precocity  Inquisitive  Global perspective  Learns rapidly

21. Application Timeline  Sept. 30 th – Applications available  Oct. 27 th – Parent Information Night at Aurora Quest  Oct. 29 th - Parent Information Night at ESC 4  Nov. 6 th – Deadline to notify school’s AGATE TL/Teacher  Jan. 8 th All Applications due to Quest by 3:00 p.m.  Jan. 23 rd - Testing for grade 1 st -8 th applicants if needed  Jan.23 rd and Jan. 30 th – Kindergarten testing & screening appointments  Week of March 28 th – Decision letters mailed for all grade levels

22. Quick Facts  $100 testing fee for out-of-district applicants  Transportation from each quadrant of district  20-hour parent volunteer commitment  Currently a traditional school calendar  No school uniforms  Before/after school daycare  After school enrichment opportunities

23. FAQ Q: How many spots are there for each grade level? A: Kindergarten 50 students 1 st -5 th and 7 th -8 th 0-5 students 6 th grade 30-35 students

24. FAQ Q: What are the chances for out of district applicants getting a spot? A: For Kindergarten and 6 th grade applicants we have been able to take out of district students. At the other grade levels it is difficult for any applicant as there are very few spots available, but there has been years in which we have exhausted the waitlist.

25. FAQ Q: What are your class sizes? A: K-2 nd 25-27 students. 3 rd -5 th 27-29 students 6 th -8 th 28-32 students

26. FAQ Q: What specials/electives are offered at AQ? A: K-5 students have P.E., Art, Music, Technology and Library/Tech. 6 th -8 th students can choose 2 electives per quarter.

27. Questions?

28. Contact Information  17315 E. 2 nd Avenue Aurora 80011  303-343-3664  njjohnson@aps.k12.co.us njjohnson@aps.k12.co.us  clstoeber@aps.k12.co.us clstoeber@aps.k12.co.us  aps.k12.co.us/quest