Through the Advanced Learning Programs (ALPs), East Woods School expands its math, science and technology curriculum – offering whole-class enrichment for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade as well as special opportunities for gifted students demonstrating exceptional promise. The program’s multi-disciplinary approach is designed to enhance creative and critical thinking skills for each participating student. Math, science and the arts interconnect in this program, as students learn the value of integrating perspectives. The yield? Agile minds, able to tackle problems from diverse viewpoints.

The three ALPs program sections - Whole Class Enrichment for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, Small Group Enrichment and Personal Mentorship – are presented by Jane Powel, founder of OMNILearn Corp., and her staff of science, language arts and math professionals. The program combines the art of teaching with the science of teaching and is unique to East Woods School.

Special Science - Whole Group Enrichment - Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

All students enrolled in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade engage in Special Science ALPs for one-hour labs on alternate weeks throughout the school year.

This Special Science ALPs program enhances the East Woods academic curriculum by drawing upon each child’s natural curiosity – to cultivate personal excitement about math, science and technology. Age-appropriate, multi-sensory labs integrate today’s prevalent issues, engaging students’ minds in finding answers through lively inquiry-based discussions. Students explore key science issues with equipment like that found in the world’s leading laboratories. They attain a well-earned sense of achievement, having made powerful discoveries on their own. Hands-on experiments develop critical thinking tools and problem-solving techniques that will help students thrive in today’s climate of rapid technological change. Classroom teachers coordinate lab topics with curriculum activities.

Small Group Enrichment Program - For Qualified Third-Ninth Graders

This section of ALPs explores areas of science and mathematics of deep interest to students with exceptional abilities in Third through Ninth Grade. Expert scientists, mathematicians and other specialists present an array of challenging labs and projects, which students then take in the direction of their greatest interest. State-of-the-art equipment and technology enhance student understanding of such vital current topics as cultural diversity, stem cell research and the Human Genome Project. East Woods faculty and outside consultants strike an invigorating balance between guidance and exploration with each student.

Objective criteria for student admission includes classroom achievement, standardized test scores, strong evidence of competence in higher order thinking skills, analytical skills, creative problem solving and a high interest in a variety of topics. Students eligible for the program will receive a letter to that effect by September of each academic year. This program is an additional charge to parents.

Small Group Enrichment takes place for third and fourth graders on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3 to 5 pm. Fifth through ninth graders participate in the program Friday afternoons from 12:30 to 3 pm.

Mentor Program - For Gifted Third through Ninth Graders

The Mentor Program is extended to gifted students in Third through Ninth Grade. Celebrated mathematicians, scientists and other experienced professionals pair with students to work one-on-one in an advanced course of study designed for each participant. These exclusive relationships afford both mentor and student the freedom to explore and enhance the child’s unique abilities. Mentors work closely with the classroom teachers to construct a compacted/differentiated curriculum. A mentorship contract is established and signed by the student and parents.

To be eligible for the program, students must achieve a full-scale score of 135 or better on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). They must also meet subjective criteria as determined by East Woods administrators and outside consultants. This program is an additional charge parents.