Advanced Academics at Sandy Ridge

*At Sandy Ridge Visual & Performing Arts Magnet Elementary, our goal is to meet each student where they are and help them to grow. Our desire is to increase achievement by fostering critical and creative thinking. Our learners have access to the following opportunities and experiences:

• K-2 Investigations Program

• Small group advanced reading/math lessons (K-5)

• Battle of the Books

• National Elementary Honor Society

• Various extracurricular music and art lessons at the school

• CAPS (Creative Arts in the Public Schools) artist residencies

• Kidznotes

• FEMMES+ (Females and Allies Excelling More in Math, Engineering and Science)

Specific Services by Grade Level

Grades K-2: Investigations

Investigations is a nurturing program with integrated lessons that build each year around critical thinking, collaboration, creative thinking, and problem solving. The primary focus is on developing academic potential in all students through the balance of whole group and focused small group instruction. Lessons are delivered weekly to each K-2 homeroom by an AIG Specialist.

Grades K-5: Identified and Nurtured Students

We serve identified students in reading and/or math in a small group pull-out setting. For all grade levels K-5, reading enrichment is provided by Mrs. Daughtridge and math enrichment is provided by Mrs. Deskins. We often nurture students who have not been formally identified if data indicates that they need more of an academic challenge. All students, identifed or not, must demonstrate mastery of grade level standards in math before being pulled out for enrichment in order to avoid a gap in their learning. See the video below about our pretest practices.