Learning Option Descriptions
Each of our schools has different learning options for students. Here are descriptions for some of the options with which you may not be familiar. If the learning option you are interested in is not listed here, please contact the school directly to get more information.
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASSES
Advanced Placement classes offer college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. At the end of the school year, students may take an exam for each AP course and can earn college credit based on their scores for each exam. The amount of college credit awarded may vary for each college or university.
AFTER SCHOOL
After school, a fee-based program, is available to Kindergarten through 8th grade students. After school provides academic support and promotes healthy youth development through enriching activities in a safe, inclusive and caring environment. Community Education provides after school programs in all elementary and middle schools.
AP CAPSTONE
AP Capstone™ is a diploma program from College Board based on two yearlong AP courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.
AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination)
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID is designed to help under-served, first generation college–bound students with high academic potential participate in rigorous coursework in preparation for entrance to colleges and universities. Students receive support through tutoring by trained tutors and a proven curriculum based on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading.
BEVERLEY TAYLOR SORENSON ARTS
The Utah State Legislature funds the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, which brings the Art Works for Kids integrated teaching model to classrooms across the state. This program provides arts instruction to students in grades K-6. Schools choose one art form (visual arts, dance, music, theater) for a minimum of five years. The integrated model supports content area instruction by providing students with multiple ways of representing their learning through the arts.
BIKE SHOP
Students spend time riding bikes and learning the basics of bicycle maintenance. Students engage in engineering and design through creating bikes to meet different needs and criteria.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PATHWAYS
Career and Technical Education pathways provide students access to high-quality, rigorous career-focused programs that result in attainment of credentials with labor market value. CTE pathways allow a student to earn an industry certificate in any number of career pathways, including IT, skilled trades, computer programming, CNA, medical assistant, family and consumer science, etc. CTE classes may be offered at the high school campuses or at the district’s Career and Technical Center (CTC). Bus transportation is available for classes at the CTC.
CERTIFIED TEACHER LIBRARIAN
Every school in SLCSD has a Certified Teacher Librarian. This means that every one of our school librarians is a certified teacher. As a certified teacher, this person collaborates with members of the learning community to analyze learning and information needs, to locate and use resources that will meet those needs, and to understand and communicate the information the resources provide.
COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS (CLC)
Community Learning Centers are a gathering place for SLCSD families and community members. Our CLCs house after-school programs; medical, dental, and vision clinics; adult education classes; and more. CLCs are available in SLCSD next to Rose Park Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, and Glendale Middle School.
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT
Concurrent enrollment courses offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for courses taken during high school, giving students the opportunity to get a head start on college. Concurrent enrollment classes may be taught at the high school or at one of the local colleges.
CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT LAB (C&A)
Curriculum and Assessment Lab is an exemplary program for students in grades 1-8. C&A classes are taught in multi-age configurations that combine 1st and 2nd grades, 3rd and 4th grades, 5th and 6th grades, and 7th and 8th grades. The C&A classes are unique settings for the research and development of interactive teaching practices.
DUAL IMMERSION
Dual immersion programs provide two language groups - English and Spanish - with an opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate. The students’ first language is used to support the acquisition of their second. Students learn to read, write, and speak both languages.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Students have opportunities to learn content through actively engaging in experiences beyond the walls of the classroom and reflecting on the experiences.
EXTENDED LEARNING PROGRAM (ELP)
The Extended Learning Program of the Salt Lake City School District provides instructional services for students in grades K-8 who are identified through a testing process as academically gifted and talented. ELP services are available for eligible students at all district elementary and middle schools through a continuum that ranges from general classroom support to full time gifted instruction at a district ELP magnet site. All elementary and middle schools have neighborhood ELP classes, and magnet ELP programs are available at select schools.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)
The IB program is designed for academically able students who desire a curriculum that presents subject matter from a worldwide perspective. Students who are highly motivated and productive will benefit from this course of study. Students are admitted for 9th grade through an application process, which begins in November of their 8th grade year.
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
SLCSD middle schools do not offer UHSAA sanctioned sports, but some of our schools offer students opportunities to participate in after-school intramural sports.
JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICE TRAINING CORPS (JROTC)
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps is a federal program sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces in secondary schools. In the Salt Lake City School District, JROTC is available to all high school students and is housed at West High School. JROTC provides students with opportunities to learn about leadership development, citizenship, community service, and physical fitness. Extracurricular teams and activities such as air rifle marksmanship, drill team, color guard, etc. are also available through JROTC.
MOCK TRIAL
Volunteer attorneys write or adapt a legal case involving issues of interest to youth. Teams compete by playing the roles of witnesses, attorneys, clerks, and bailiffs in real courtrooms throughout the state.
OUTDOOR LEARNING
Students spend time learning sustainable ways to engage in outdoor recreation while also conducting scientific field work. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, and camping.
PARTNERED LAB WORK WITH U of U
Science classes have partnerships with University of Utah labs. Students have opportunities to spend time partnering with those labs to carry out science projects.
SCIENCE FIELD WORK AND CITIZEN SCIENCE
Students spend time in natural spaces collecting data to support scientific field work and citizen science projects. These experiences include, but are not limited to, data on bird migration, water quality, and biodiversity.
SERVICE LEARNING
Students utilize what they are learning academically to plan and carry out projects that have an impact on the school, local, and global communities.
STEM FOCUS
STEM education is the purposeful integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to create a student-centered learning environment in which students investigate and engineer solutions to problems and construct evidence-based explanations of real-world phenomena. In addition to traditional classes, a STEM focus school puts added emphasis on STEM curriculum through additional instructional time and innovative teaching practices. Learning at a STEM focus school is collaborative and project-based.