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Advanced Academics Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the Aldine ISD Advanced Academics program is to identify students who perform at or exhibit the potential for performing at an exceptionally high level of accomplishment and to provide equitable educational opportunities through differentiated, challenging instructional environments which foster college and career success. 

Equity Statement

Gifted/talented students come from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds; thus, Aldine ISD Advanced Academics pledges to: 

  • Develop and implement inclusive and equitable recruitment, identification and retention strategies that remove obstacles limiting access to Advanced Academics for students from cultural, linguistic, and economic groups that have been traditionally underserved.  

  • Strive to ensure identification and enrollment in Advanced Academics classes reflect the diversity of the Aldine ISD student population.

  • Provide academically rigorous educational experiences for students at all levels to prepare them for Advanced Academics coursework.

School District Evaluation of Performance in Community and Student Engagement and Compliance

What is Advanced Academics?

The Aldine ISD Advanced Academics program is for students who are highly motivated, possess college-bound behavior, and are capable of performing at a high academic level. Advanced Academics includes courses, programs, assessments, services and supports that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit.

Advanced Academics courses include Honors at the middle school and high school levels as well as Advanced Placement, Dual Credit with Lone Star College and University of Texas OnRamps courses for high school students. These courses provide students with opportunities to develop a strong foundation by exploring a subject in greater depth and developing skills, habits of mind, and concepts needed to succeed in college preparatory coursework. Advanced students can expect more independent learning and more homework than a regular class. Students and parents are required to sign and abide for the Aldine ISD Advanced Academics Commitment Form.
Advanced Academics Commitment Form
Compromiso con los cursos académicos avanzados

We encourage ALL students to consider taking Advanced Academics courses, there are many to choose from for multiple interest areas.  When considering which courses to take, keep in mind prior grades in that subject area, STAAR and EOC scores, as well as personal education and career goals. School counselors can help answer any questions about course availability and placement for students and parents.

Why Consider Advanced Academics?

  • Taking a rigorous curriculum in high school is the best predictor of students’ ability to complete a bachelors’ degree (Answers in the Toolbox, 1999).
  • The number and quality of advanced courses a learner takes is more significant than GPA or class rank for predicting college success.
  • Students taking more advanced courses score about 2.4 points higher on the ACT composite than students taking standard graduation plan courses (ACT High School Profile, 2005).
  • Students taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school have higher GPAs in college than students who do not take AP Courses (Answers in the Toolbox, 1999).
  • Learners who have taken AP courses generally score higher on the SAT than learners who have not taken AP courses.
  • The number of advanced courses a learner takes in high school may be a factor considered by a college when making admission decisions.

Aldine’s Dual Credit program with Lone Star College

Download the Dual Credit Presentation (PDF)

Accelerated College Academy Presentation – English (PDF)
Accelerated College Academy Presentation – Spanish (PDF)

DC Apply Texas Application Workshop

Lone Star College Dual Credit Application
Tips for Completing Application

Program Description

Aldine ISD provides a Gifted and Talented Program that is a subject-specific academic program. Placement into the program is commensurate with the characteristics and strengths of the subject identified. Identification is ongoing. Screening for the GT program begins in Kindergarten and continues through 12th grade. Anyone wishing to refer a student for GT screening should contact their child’s school GT Coordinator.

Definition of Giftedness

Aldine ISD follows the definition of Giftedness provided by the Texas Education Agency in their guidelines for gifted and talented programs.

Gifted and talented student means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area;  possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or excels in a specific academic field.

AISD GT Service Design

Students identified for GT services are assured an array of learning opportunities, including working with age peers, intellectual peers, and working independently, during the school day and through co-curricular or extracurricular activities. Grade appropriate research skills are incorporated in the curriculum through open-ended assignments, providing a continuum of learning experiences that lead to the development of advanced-level products and/or performances.

At the secondary level, participation in Pre-AP, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Dual Credit courses offer students the depth and complexity of college level coursework. Participation in each of these programs offers opportunities for students to earn college credit while enrolled in high school.

Resources for the GT Parents: https://www.txgifted.org/parents

Program Goals

The district’s goals for gifted and talented students are aligned to the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented students:

  • Goal 1: Student Assessment
    District assessment instruments and gifted/talented identification procedures will provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their diverse talents and opportunities.
  • Goal 2: Program Design
    A flexible system of viable service options will provide a research-based learning continuum that is developed and consistently implemented throughout the district to meet the needs and reinforce the strengths and interests of gifted/talented students.
  • Goal 3: Curriculum and Instruction
    Curriculum and Instruction for gifted/talented students will consist of differentiating the general curriculum through depth, complexity, and flexible pacing.
  • Goal 4: Professional Development
    Ongoing professional development will ensure that all personnel involved in the planning, development, or delivery of services to gifted and talented students have the expertise necessary to offer appropriate options and differentiated curriculum
  • Goal 5: Family/Community Development
    The district will involve family and community members in services designed for gifted/talented students throughout the school year.

Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students

English Version (PDF)
Spanish Version (PDF)

Gifted and Talented Manual

Download Aldine ISD Gifted and Talented Manual (PDF)

GT Nomination Forms

GT Parent Nomination – Spanish (PDF)
GT Parent Nomination Form – English (PDF)
Student Self Nomination for GT Screening (PDF)