Advanced Academic Programs
Federal Way Public Schools offers advanced programs and course work for all students. In order to encourage eligible students to participate in advanced classes, they are automatically enrolled in the appropriate advanced classes when they have demonstrated the capabilities and skills to be successful in such a class.
Standardized state tests in reading, writing, math and science are used to determine the student’s class placement. Students who pass these tests have proven that they have the knowledge and understanding of a subject necessary to take advanced courses.
State test scores are not the only way students can take advantage of advanced programs. Students who want to sign up for advanced courses may do so. Additionally, students may opt out of these classes with their parents’ permission.
Why Should My Student Take Advanced Classes?
Research shows that students strongly benefit by taking advanced classes. They are better prepared for college course work, and tend to earn better grades. They are more likely to graduate than students with similar SAT scores who did not take advanced classes. Better colleges are more likely to admit students who have taken advanced courses and to offer academic scholarships to them.
What Program Will My Student Participate In?
Your student will be enrolled in the appropriate program offered at the middle or high school he or she is scheduled to attend. Every secondary school offers advanced programs designed to meet the academic needs of a diverse group of students. Some of the advanced programs listed below are available only at specific schools.
Students may be automatically enrolled in the following advanced programs. For more information, contact the school, or go to their webpage.
Middle School Programs (6th – 8th)
- Cambridge CheckPoint Preparatory Academy
The Cambridge Checkpoint Preparatory Academy is an advanced program for academically talented middle school students, sponsored by Cambridge University in England. In Federal Way, it is offered to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Lakota and Sacajawea middle schools. Checkpoint offers a rigorous and relevant curriculum, and develops skills for success in any advanced program, but leads directly into Cambridge Preparatory Academy at Federal Way High School and an Advanced International Certificate of Education through Cambridge University.- College Board – SpringBoard/Pre Advanced Placement (PreAP) Program
SpringBoard is a unique AP preparatory program designed around the rigorous College Board Standards for College Success. In Federal Way, it is offered to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Saghalie, Illahee, and Sequoyah Middle Schools. SpringBoard identifies the reading and writing skills and competencies students need in order to be prepared for college. The focus of the program at both the middle level is in English disciplines. Completion of the Springboard/PreAP curriculum will prepare student for any advanced program, but leads directly into the AP programs offered at Decatur and Todd Beamer high Schools.- International Baccalaureate (IB) the Middle Years
Totem Middle School and Kilo Middle School are candidate schools* for the IB Middle Years Program. These schools are pursuing authorization as IB World Schools. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education—that we believe is important for our students.
The IB Middle Years Program, for students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.
The program consists of eight subject groups integrated through five areas of interaction that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. Students are required to study their mother tongue, a second language, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and technology. In the final year of the program, students also engage in a personal project, which allows them to demonstrate the understandings and skills they have developed throughout the program.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP) or the Diploma Program (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programs, visit http://www.ibo.org.High School Programs (9th - 12th)
- Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement courses are currently offered at all high schools in the district* including Decatur High School and Todd Beamer High School. AP courses are rigorous, college-level classes offered in all subject areas. Curriculum for the courses and subsequent assessments were developed by the College Board. Students can earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities by taking and passing the AP exams, which are administered by the College Board. A variety of AP classes are available in each school; please check the course catalog for specifics.
* The Career Academy at Truman, the district’s small, career-focused high school, does not offer AP classes at this time.- Cambridge Preparatory Academy
Cambridge Preparatory Academy courses are currently offered at Federal Way High School. Federal Way is the first west-coast site of the Cambridge Program, which offers students the opportunity to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma. Curriculum for the program and subsequent assessments were developed by the University of Cambridge in England. Cambridge courses emphasize higher order thinking skills, oral skills, writing skills, problem solving, teamwork, inquiry and investigative skills. Students can earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nations’ colleges and universities by taking and passing AICE exams.- International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
International Baccalaureate courses are currently offered at Thomas Jefferson High School. The academically rigorous program is designed to meet or exceed the entrance requirements of the most selective colleges and universities throughout the world. Many colleges and universities offer advanced standing or course credits to students with strong IB exam results. The IB program involves in-depth study in a broad range of subjects representing six fields of knowledge, followed by a series of oral and written examinations. Students can earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nations’ colleges and universities by taking and passing IB exams.- International Baccalaureate (IB) the Middle Years
Thomas Jefferson High School and Todd Beamer High School are candidate schools* for the IB Middle Years Program. These schools are pursuing authorization as IB World Schools. IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education—that we believe is important for our students.
The IB Middle Years Program, for students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and become critical and reflective thinkers.
The program consists of eight subject groups integrated through five areas of interaction that provide a framework for learning within and across the subjects. Students are required to study their mother tongue, a second language, humanities, sciences, mathematics, arts, physical education and technology. In the final year of the program, students also engage in a personal project, which allows them to demonstrate the understandings and skills they have developed throughout the program.
* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP) or the Diploma Program (and in addition the IB Career-related Certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programs, visit http://www.ibo.org.Other Programs to Consider
Two options for secondary students, the Technology Access Foundation Academy and Federal Way Public Academy, are available only by application. Students will not be automatically enrolled in these two programs.
To participate in the TAFA or FWPA programs, or in another advanced program that isn’t available at your neighborhood high school, students or parents should complete a choice application. Call 253-945-2013 or go to http://www.fwps.org/info/choice/.
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