District InformationFocus Schools & ProgramsThe Boise School District offers a number of valuable and relevant Focus Schools/Programs that offer choices and opportunities for students to specialize in a particular area of study such as math, science, classical education, international studies, dual immersion language program, professional-technical education, and other educational programs. Focus Schools/Programs provide yet another choice for parents and students within the public school system of the Boise School District. We invite you to discover further information about these popular and successful Focus Schools/Programs. Programs Offered Advancement Via Individual Determination, a nationally recognized program that prepares secondary students who are performing in the academic middle for college. The Bridge program is a program-within-a-school that provides an intensive English language program to limited and non-English speaking students in grades 7-12. Bridge is a program primarily for newcomers to the country. This program provides the opportunity for junior high and high school students to build a strong English foundation through content instruction before attending their home schools. The program is hosted at Borah High School and Hillside Junior High School. Classical education is a model of education following an ancient pattern call the trivium which divides learning into three distinct stages: Grammar (grades K-4); Logic (grades 5-8); and Rhetoric (grades 9-12). In the spring of 2009, the Boise School District Board approved adoption of a public Classical Education program to be located at Pierce Park International School. The program currently consists of a 1st grade, a 2nd/3rd combo, and a 4th/5th/6th combo. Dual Language Imersion Program The Boise School District is pleased to offer kindergarten and first grade Spanish/English dual language programs at Whitney and Whittier Elementary Schools. Each program will continue to offer AM and PM kindergarten sessions if enrollment allows. First grade will be added for Fall 2009. Your child does not have to have kindergarten dual language experience to enroll as a first grader. Dual language is a program strand within each school where half of the instruction is provided in English and the other half in Spanish. The District offers a tuition-based all-day kindergarten program. Parents who wish to have their child participate in the additional half-day kindergarten pay a tuition fee to support the extra instruction. The Boise School District Gifted Program strives to be a model of excellence. It provides professional expertise and exemplary resources to develop intellectual rigor, social conscience, and creative thinking in a diverse population of gifted youth. This constructive and collaborative program for elementary and secondary students succeeds through the commitment of school, families and community. Harbor Method Elementary Program The Harbor School Method is a child centered educational model built on high expectations for both student behavior and academic endeavor. The Harbor School Method provides a comprehensive plan for character education and a rigorous program of core subject instruction. The method proactively sets up an environment that allows students to focus on learning while in a safe, secure setting. The Harbor Method program is offered at: As members of an International School, Longfellow students are exposed to a curriculum enriched by historic, geographic and cultural extensions that provide frequent opportunities for students to explore, understand, and draw conclusions with other people, cultures, and historical experiences. The mission of the Boise School District Montessori Project at Liberty Elementary School is to foster self-motivated, responsible, life-long learners by providing an opportunity for students to meet high academic standards using the Montessori philosophy and methods of education. The Dehryl A. Dennis Technical Education Center provides Ada County secondary students with workforce skill development and a seamless transition to active participation in economic and community roles. Dennis Center instructors are industry certified and bring a wealth of experience to the classroom. Their focus is to prepare students for transition to post-secondary training and careers beyond high school. Treasure Valley Mathematics & Science Center TVMSC is a unique learning community that offers opportunities in mathematics and science education unlike those found in traditional school settings. The curriculum is specifically designed for students with an interest/desire to excel in mathematics and science. Any public, private, or home-schooled student is eligible to apply for admittance to the Center. Students who are capable of performing at an accelerated 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade academic level regardless of their current age or grade level can apply. |