Renaissance

NOTE: The Renaissance program is currently undergoing a transformation which will start in the fall of 2023. To read more about the changes coming next year, please read the communication below:

Renaissance Updates January 2023

DaVinci Academy Renaissance program provides all-day academic programming designed to meet the needs of our gifted and talented students in grades 3-5. We currently have two self-contained, full time classrooms. The students in these classes are provided an advanced curriculum at an accelerated pace and will also focus on the unique social and emotional needs of gifted students.

The Renaissance curriculum has been designed to meet, and to exceed, state standards, using materials specifically designed for gifted learners. Most 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 curriculum based on students’ needs and interests, in correlation with the Minnesota State Standards. 

Renaissance classrooms are 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 classrooms, including the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), as well as STEP scores, Fastbridge scores, and information from teachers and families. For more specific information about the Identification Process, our official Identification Policy is available on this page. 

Students in the Renaissance program are an important part of the DaVinci Academy community. Students will be included with their grade level peers as often as possible, but will have the opportunity to build strong relationships with the other students in the Renaissance program.