Hamber Challenge Programs

http://www.vsb.bc.ca/programs/hamber-challenge-programs-gifted-learners

The Hamber Challenge Program now offers two options for students: The Accelerated/ Enriched Humanities Program and the new Challenge Academy.

The Humanities Program presents highly-able students in the humanities (English and Social Sciences) with a challenging Grade 8-12 program that encompasses both acceleration and enrichment. Students in the program are voracious learners who will complete three years of study in Grades 8 and 9, often moving above and beyond the traditional curriculum. Learners in Grades 10-12 will continue to expand their learning through enriched and advanced placement courses as well as through guided independent or concurrent post-secondary studies. This program will appeal to students of high ability who are extremely motivated to learn and respond well to a rapid pace of instruction. Generally, an “A” or “B” average in English and Social Studies is expected.

The Challenge Academy is for those students who sit in class dreaming of the fascinating opportunities to explore that they see passing them by. It is a unique opportunity for gifted learners who thrive on learning “outside the box” and who crave the ability to meaningfully influence the pace and content of their academic program. Students in this unique Grade 8-12 academy will have four challenge blocks dedicated to their core academic subjects. During these blocks they will have the opportunity to participate in research projects, experiments, problem-based learning simulations, multi-grade level seminars in a wide variety of topics, study groups, theme-based cross-curricular exploration, self-paced guided independent studies, concurrent studies at post-secondary institutions and other non-traditional approaches to the secondary school curriculum.

Students will be free to move at a self-determined pace through a wide variety of available courses, including the opportunity to “challenge” courses for credit. Instruction in this academy will often step outside the traditional curriculum and will be driven by individual education plans for each student.

This program is suitable for gifted learners who are extremely motivated to learn and thrive outside the traditional classroom setting. Students with a desire to shape the curriculum to suit their interests and to accommodate their learning styles as well as their ability to learn material quickly will find this program a good fit. This program is especially suitable for students who have been identified as “gifted” through the psycho-educational testing process.

Please note that we welcome students of high ability in mathematics to continue to apply to Hamber regarding appropriate placement for acceleration.

Location: Eric Hamber Secondary

Grade: 8-12

District Test required: Yes

http://hamber.vsb.bc.ca/home/course_planning/courses_2013.pdf