Academics

Advanced is a program for students who are highly motivated, developing college-bound behavior, and capable of performing at an academic level above their grade placement. At this level, students move at a faster pace in a more academically challenging environment to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. These courses provide students with opportunities to develop a strong foundation by exploring a subject in greater depth and developing skills, habits of mind, and concepts needed to succeed in college preparatory coursework. 

Advanced courses prepare students for the Advanced courses they have the opportunity to take in high school and are offered in the four core subject areas. Advanced students can expect more independent learning and more homework than a regular class. Students and parents are required to sign and abide for the Grand Prairie ISD Advanced contract.
 
Students may express an interest in taking a Advanced course by obtaining a Advanced Request form from the Advanced Academics Specialist or the counselors' office. Prior grades, achievement test scores, and STAAR scores are evaluated by the Advanced Academics Specialist when a student is considering enrollment into an Advanced course.

Advanced Placement courses are part of a program begun by The College Board, a not for profit association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. High schools across the United States work with The College Board to offer these advanced courses. Through Advanced courses, students ...

• take college level coursework in high school
• study subjects in depth
• explore the world from multiple perspectives
• develop study habits for tackling rigorous work
• focus on deeper reasoning, analysis, and problem-solving
• show universities they were willing to take on the demands of an Advanced course and they are ready for colleges

Through Advanced exams, students earn college credit with a passing score on an Advanced exam. Each college and university establishes accepted scores on specific exams for college credit. When looking at college choice and planning for Advanced classes in high school, this is important information. The Advanced Academics Specialist can show you how to locate this information.

Gifted and Talented (GT) is a program for students who are identified as Gifted and Talented. In accordance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students, students are screened using multiple criteria, which includes both quantitative and qualitative data. Placement decisions are made by a Campus Selection Committee, and policies for appeals, furloughs, and exit procedures are available upon request. In middle school, GT students are served in the four core academic areas according to their identified strengths. 

GT courses are often paired with Advanced courses and include all of the elements of Advanced courses. Within this combination of courses, GT students receive instruction and learning opportunities appropriately differentiated to meet the needs of more advanced learners, enabling students to engage in more elaborate, complex, and in-depth studies of abstract ideas, problems, and themes.  As with the Advanced courses, students can expect a more academically challenging environment to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as more independent learning and more homework than a regular class. These courses provide students with opportunities to develop a strong foundation by exploring a subject in greater depth and developing skills, habits of mind, and concepts needed to succeed in college preparatory coursework. Students and parents are required to sign and abide for the Grand Prairie ISD Advanced contract.
 
Nominations for the Gifted and Talented Program may be submitted to the Advanced Academics Specialist. Students may be nominated by parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, or any other interested party who is familiar with the student's abilities.

The Reagan Dance Company is composed of dedicated young ladies that have a passion for dance and a commitment to teamwork.  Throughout the year, the Reagan Dance Company performs at football games, basketball games, parades, dance competitions, and special events throughout the community.