Middle School Highly Capable Program Services

MSQ services are provided for students in grades 6-8 who have been identified with academic needs that go beyond the scope of a general education classroom for certain subject areas. These students show both academic and cognitive needs that require specific and advanced educational differentiation.

Where will MSQ services be provided?
Students identified for MSQ services will attend one of the specific middle school sites in LWSD that provides MSQ services. MSQ services are provided in a self-contained classroom with other identified MSQ students. These classrooms may be single-grade-level classrooms or contain multiple grades in one room.

What will MSQ services look like?
The MSQ teachers will have access to district-provided curriculum tools for all subject areas. MSQ Math is taught one grade level above their current grade, using the general education curriculum. MSQ ELA uses the general education curriculum, which is on-grade level. Teachers will also employ strategies that extend and/or enrich the classroom learning experience for their students. This may include any/all of the following strategies:

• Small group instruction that extends or enriches the current grade level standard being taught in class.
• Use of extension/enrichment materials provided to all teachers from the Accelerated Programs department.
• Use of higher-level questioning techniques to engage the student in more complex thinking about topics being taught.
• Guided group discussions focused on interpretation and evaluation of topics.
• Independent research and projects aligned with curriculum goals.
• Access to beyond level text and lessons embedded in the core curriculum.
• Strategies to increase depth and complexity.
• Instructional strategies used in Universal Design for Learning principles.
• Project-based learning.
• Socratic seminars.
• Use of Byrdseed.TV instructional materials.
• Specific advanced learning education pedagogical practices.

What courses are part of MSQ services?

• Students receiving MSQ services are directly served in MSQ-specific ELA/social studies classes in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
• Students are directly serviced in MSQ-specific math classes only in 6th grade.
• Starting in 7th grade, MSQ students will take general Algebra, and then continue on to Geometry in 8th grade.
• MSQ students are with their grade level peers for their remaining 3 courses: Science and 2 electives.