Renaissance Program Update – February 2023
The DaVinci Academy Renaissance program provides academic programming designed to meet the needs of our gifted and talented students, primarily in grades 3-5. The Renaissance program is hanging over the next several years to better meet the needs of the students we serve. We are adding cluster classrooms where our highly gifted students receive advanced curriculum and pacing throughout the school day while still creating relationships with their grade-level peers. The Renaissance program also includes pull-out/push-in classes where students receive enrichment in a articular subject area. Services provided within the program will vary from year to year based on the needs of our students.
The Renaissance curriculum has been designed to meet, and exceed, state standards using materials specifically designed for gifted learners. Whenever possible, learning activities will be inquiry-based and open-ended, requiring students to use higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum will also focus on building self-awareness and on encouraging students to take academic risks.
Curriculum materials include, but are not limited to:
- Project M3: Mentoring Mathematical Minds
- Illustrative Mathematics
- Holt Course 2
- William and Mary units
- Jr. Great Books
- Core Knowledge Sequence
Teachers create and adapt curricula based on students’ needs and interests, correlating with the Minnesota State Standards.
The Renaissance program is ideal for students who learn quickly, with little need for repetitive practice, and who have an intrinsic motivation to learn and explore. Multiple objective and subjective measures will be used to determine proper placement in the Renaissance program, including the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), as well as NWEA (MAP) and MCA scores where applicable, and information from teachers and families.