Academic Enrichment & Support
St. Albert the Great STEM Program In an effort to expand upon our current program, and to provide our students with exceptionally high academic abilities additional opportunities, Aquinas has partnered with CTY to pilot and implement a three-year Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program. The St. Albert the Great STEM Program, for students in grades fifth through eighth, was implemented in 2010 as a result of this joint partnership. For more information click here.
Math Enrichment and Student Support Program (MESS). The MESS Program provides students gifted in mathematics that do not qualify for STEM, an opportunity to use their high level of reasoning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. MESS is available to students in grades fifth through eighth. Many different educational tools are utilized including computers, calculators, games, and manipulatives. The requirements for acceptance into the MESS Program include:
- Teacher Recommendation
- Math Grade of 93 or above
- Terra Nova Math Composite score of 90% or above
- Student Contract
- Parental Consent
The student support component of MESS helps students who are struggling with a particular math concept. Acceptance into this program is based on teacher recommendations. Students work in small groups to successfully master difficult math concepts.
Language Arts Enrichment. Middle school students who score in the 95th percentile or higher are invited into our Language Arts Enrichment Program. These students write short and creative stories. They read and interpret works of literature focusing on literary elements and story components. Students participate in workshops to learn how to positively and constructively critique peer writing.
Resource Program. The resource program includes a staff of two full-time resource teachers, a part-time Title 1 teacher, one part-time guidance counselor, and one guidance facilitator. Students are accepted into the resource program based on a documented disability. Each student is individually evaluated during the admissions process to determine if they can be accommodated.
