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ALVIN ISD
Ad˿anced Academics
Junior High Programs Overview
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Al˿in ISD Ad˿anced Academics Mission
The mission of the Alvin ISD Advanced Academics Program is to support
each Gifted and Talented student and Advanced Learner in order to
foster the academic and social/emotional needs of these students in the
following ways:
● Cultivating relationships
● Strengthening critical thinking skills
● Providing greater depth and complexity
● Differentiating learning experiences to encourage lifelong learning
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Al˿in isd path̀ay to ad˿ancement
(apa)
O˿er˿iè
● The Alvin ISD Pathway to Advancement (APA)is offered in the core
courses, and is designed to stimulate and challenge students to perform
at an advanced academic level. Junior High APA courses are great
preparation for the Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP)
courses that are offered at the high school campuses.
● Students who register for APA courses need to carefully consider the
demands of these classes and their personal schedules outside of school.
Please carefully review the expectations located in the Advanced
Academics Agreement, which will be provided at the beginning of the
school year, is found in Skyward, and is in the 2025-2026 Junior High
School Course Guide.
● Please see the next slide for important information regarding APA Math
coursework for the junior high school level.
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MATHEMATICS COURSE PROGRESSION
5th APA MATH
Curriculum:
Grades 5 and 6 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 6 Math STAAR
5th On Level MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 5 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 5 Math STAAR
STEM MATH
Curriculum:
Grades 7 and 8 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
7th On Level MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 7 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 7 Math STAAR
7th APA MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 8 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
High School Algebra I
MAP MATH
Curriculum:
High School Algebra I TEKS
Assessment:
Algebra EOC Exam
High School Algebra I
STEM MATH
Curriculum:
High School Algebra I TEKS
Assessment:
Algebra EOC Exam
6th On Level MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 6 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 6 Math STAAR
6th APA MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 7 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 7 Math STAAR
MAP 6 MATH
Curriculum:
Grades 7 and 8 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
8th On Level MATH
Curriculum:
Grade 8 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
High School Algebra I
Curriculum:
High School Algebra I TEKS
Assessment:
Algebra EOC Exam
High School Geometry
MAP Math
Curriculum:
High School Geometry TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
High School Geometry
STEM Math
Curriculum:
High School Geometry TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
*Placement
Required
Note below*
*Placement
Required
*Placement
Required
*Screening occurs in order to place students in on level into APA. If students are placed into an APA course from
an on level course, they will be required to attend a summer program to cover missed grade level standards.
Note below* *Placement
Required
*Placement
Required
*Placement
Required
*Placement
Required
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Magnet Academic Program
(MAP)
O˿er˿iè
The AISD Magnet Academic Program (MAP) offers an accelerated (math/science) or
integrated (reading/social studies) curriculum meeting the cognitive needs of advanced
learners who are placed in the program based on an assessment process.
● All fifth grade students in Alvin ISD are screened during the second semester. Students who
move on to testing will be administered a battery of mathematics, reading, and writing
assessments, both timed and untimed.
● All fifth grade students who are identified as Gifted and Talented (before or by the Fall
semester of their fifth grade year) will participate in the Magnet Academic Program testing
process.
● Qualifying students are placed on a matrix which is completed with information garnered
from the assessments as well as other quantitative data such as, but not limited to, STAAR
simulations, NWEA assessment results, and class grade averages.
● Students are only eligible for the screening and/or testing process one time.
● If a fifth grade student is placed into MAP or the STEM Academy math from a fifth grade
on level math course, it will be strongly recommended the student attends a summer
program to cover missed grade level standards.
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Magnet Academic Program
(MAP)
MATHEMATICS COURSE PROGRESSION
MAP 6 MATH
Curriculum:
Grades 7 and 8 Math TEKS
Assessment:
Grade 8 Math STAAR
MAP 7 MATH
Curriculum:
High School Algebra I
Assessment:
Algebra I End of Course Exam
MAP 8 MATH
Curriculum:
High School Geometry
● Please note that students must qualify to advance to the each math course in the
progression by successfully completing each MAP math course in addition to passing the
STAAR or EOC for each particular class.
● Students earn high school credit for High School Algebra I and High School Geometry.
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Magnet Academic Program
(MAP)
SCIENCE COURSE PROGRESSION
MAP 8 SCIENCE
Curriculum:
8th grade Science and components
of IPC, Chemistry, Physics, and
Biology curricula
Assessment:
Grade 8 Science STAAR
● Please note that students must qualify to advance to the each science course in the
progression by successfully completing each MAP Science course.
MAP 7 SCIENCE
Curriculum:
Grades 7 and 8
Science TEKS
MAP 6 SCIENCE
Curriculum:
Grades 6 and 7
Science TEKS
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MAP Mathematics Testing Progression
5th Grade
On-Le˿el Mathematics Students
TESTING
PROGRESSION
ASSESSMENT NOTES IMPORTANT
DATES
Screener Test: NWEA - Measures of Academic Progress Assessment (Mathematics)
Purpose: The NWEA - Measures of Academic Progress Assessment is an opportunity for students
to demonstrate evidence of readiness to be successful with above level mathematical skills and
knowledge.
Students move into Round 1 testing based on NWEA MAP Assessment Scores. Parents of
these students will be notified via email listed in Skyward.
Testing: Fall 2024 and WInter
2025 NWEA MAP Testing
windows from elementary campus
Notification: Email window of
January 24 - 26, 2025
Round 1 Test: Norm Referenced Mathematics Assessment
Purpose: The Norm Referenced Mathematics Assessment is an opportunity for students to
demonstrate innate mathematics ability related to mathematical reasoning and problem solving
skills.
Testing: Window of January 28 -
February 13, 2025
Notification: Email window of
February 21 - 23, 2025
Round 2 Test: Alvin Magnet Mathematics Assessment
Purpose: The Alvin Magnet Mathematics Assessment allows students to demonstrate Algebra
readiness.
Testing: Window of February 24 -
March 28, 2025
Notification: Email window of
April 25 - April 27, 2025
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MAP Mathematics Testing Progression
5th Grade
APA Mathematics Students
TESTING
PROGRESSION
ASSESSMENT NOTES IMPORTANT
DATES
Screener Students enrolled in 5th APA Mathematics are currently participating in above level
mathematics coursework and will advance to Round 1. No additional screener needed.
Notification: Email window of
January 24 - 26, 2025
Round 1 Test: Norm Referenced Mathematics Assessment
Purpose: The Norm Referenced Math Assessment is an opportunity for students to demonstrate
innate mathematics ability related to mathematical reasoning and problem solving skills.
Testing: Window of January 28 -
February 13, 2025
Notification: Email window of
February 21 - 23, 2025
Round 2 Test: Alvin Magnet Mathematics Assessment
Purpose: The Alvin Magnet Mathematics Assessment allows students to demonstrate Algebra
readiness.
Testing: Window of February 24 -
March 28, 2025
Notification: Email window of
April 25 - April 27, 2025
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Magnet Academic Program
(MAP)
HUMANITIES COURSE PROGRESSION
MAP 8 HUMANITIES
Curriculum:
Grade 8 Reading and
Social Studies -
American History (Integrated)
Assessment:
Grade 8 Reading Language Arts
and Social Studies STAAR
MAP 7 HUMANITIES
Curriculum:
Grade 7 Reading and
Social Studies -
Texas History (Integrated)
Assessment:
Grade 7 Reading
Language Arts STAAR
MAP 6 HUMANITIES
Curriculum:
Grade 6 Reading and
Social Studies -
World Cultures (Integrated)
Assessment:
Grade 6 Reading
Language Arts STAAR
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MAP HUMANITIES
Testing Progression
TESTING
PROGRESSION
ASSESSMENT NOTES IMPORTANT
DATES
Screener Test: iReady Diagnostic
Purpose: The iReady Diagnostic assessment is an opportunity for students to
demonstrate evidence of readiness to be successful with above level reading skills and
knowledge
*Students move into MAP Humanities testing based on iReady Diagnostic Scores or score
in the Masters range on 4th Reading STAAR. Parents of these students will be notified via
email.
Testing: Winter 2025 iReady
Testing window from elementary
campus
Notification: Email window of
February 7-9, 2025
Placement
Assessment
Test: Alvin Humanities Magnet Assessment
Purpose: The Alvin Humanities Magnet Assessment is an opportunity for students to
analyze informational text, demonstrate critical thinking, and communicate through
evidence based writing.
Testing: Window of February 11 -
March 13, 2025
Notification: Email window of
April 25 - 28, 2025
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Al˿in ISD STEM Academy (STEM)
O˿er˿iè
The STEM Academy program is designed to meet the needs of identified mathematically
gifted students. The STEM Academy students must have strong math/science and
language arts skills. The program offers acceleration in math and science, as well as
integration of computer science concepts. Students focus on problem solving, discovery,
creativity, exploratory learning, teamwork, leadership skills, and communication skills. The
specialized STEM curriculum provides the depth and complexity needed to meet the
cognitive needs of the mathematically gifted student.
● All fifth grade students in Alvin ISD are screened during the second semester
through the MAP Math/Science and MAP Humanities testing process.
● STEM is a three year program that students enter at the start of their sixth grade
year.
● Qualifying students are placed on a matrix that is completed with information
collected from the assessments given during MAP testing, other qualitative data such
as, but not limited to, STAAR simulations, NWEA assessment results, class grade
averages, Abilities test scores and their gifted and talented assessment percentiles.
● Students are only eligible for the screening and/or testing process one time.
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ALVIN ISD STEM ACADEMY
Progression
Math Science Engineering
6th Grade ● 7th and 8th
grade TEKS
● 8th Grade STAAR
★ 6th, 7th & 8th
Grade TEKS
★ STEM
Engineering
7th Grade ● High School
Algebra I
(HS Credit)
● Algebra I EOC
★ Remaining 7th
and 8th grade
TEKS
★ 8th Grade
Science STAAR
★ Coding and
Engineering
8th Grade ● High School
Geometry
(HS Credit)
● 8th grade STAAR
★ APA Physics with
Rocketry
(HS Credit)
★ Fundamentals of
Computer
Science +
(HS Credit)
★ Different than MAP progression
+ AP Principles of Computer Science coursework and curriculum. Students take the correlating
AP exam with the opportunity to earn college credit by earning a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam.
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STEM ACADEMY Testing Progression
All Alvin ISD 5th grade students are screened for STEM through the Magnet Academic Program (MAP) testing
process. There is no application needed.
Students who qualify for both MAP Math/Science and the MAP Humanities Program are placed on the
STEM Academy Matrix.
Students whose STEM Matrix score meets or exceeds the placement minimum may need additional Mathematical Abilities and
Intellectual Assessment testing. Any of these students who have not previously been identified as GT in Alvin ISD will complete the
Alvin ISD GT Assessment and Identification process before final STEM placement is determined.
Students meeting or exceeding the placement requirements on the STEM matrix and will be notified about
placement in the program.
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ALVIN ISD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
ADVANCED ACADEMICS CONTACTS
JUNIOR HIGH CAMPUS CAMPUS ADVANCED ACADEMIC SPECIALIST ADVANCED ACADEMICS SPECIALIST
Alvin Junior High Dana Halderman dhalderman@alvinisd.net
Jackie Caffey Junior High Tabitha Dasilva tdasilva@alvinisd.net
Fairview Junior High Jennifer Bill jbill@alvinisd.net
Iowa Colony Junior High Brandie Greaney bgreaney@alvinisd.net
Harby Junior High Randy White wwhite@alvinisd.net
Manvel Junior High Nikhil Kaji nkaji@alvinisd.net
Dr. Ronald McNair Junior High Whitney Houston whouston@alvinisd.net
Nolan Ryan Junior High Beulah Johnson bjohnson2@alvinisd.net
Rodeo Palms Junior High Sharon Earles searles@alvinisd.net
STEM Academy Coordinator (MJH) Sammie Gardner sgardner@alvinisd.net