Socrates, Empress Suiko, Louis Armstrong, and others come to HHH

Fourth grade AHAP (Academically High Aptitude Program) students in Half Hollow Hills presented their annual Biographical History exhibit. Students teamed together, selected a historical person, researched and wrote reports coupled with presentation boards, then dressed in costumed character for an added element of authenticity.

Presentations included Socrates, Elizabeth Thible, Empress Suiko, Louis Armstrong, Thomas Telford, Horatio Nelson Viscount, Maria Theresa of Austria, Ho Chi Minh, to name some.

The district's website explains, "The Academically High Aptitude Program was created in 1978 to provide growth opportunities and to serve the unique needs of the gifted population of the Half Hollow Hills School District in conformance with Public Law 91-230, section 806 which states: 

"Gifted children are those identified by professionally qualified persons who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance. These are children who require differentiated educational programs and or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their contribution to self and society." 

Third graders are bussed to the Administration Center for one half day per week. They also receive one instructional block of time per week in the home buildings. Fourth and fifth graders each spend one full day at the magnet school. 

The third and fourth grade programs introduce a hierarchy of cognitive skills within units that are parallel to the core curriculum. Fifth graders select from a variety of courses based on their interests and abilities applying the higher thinking skills developed in third and fourth grade programs. 

Students in the program are encouraged to share their learning, activities and experiences with their classmates in the home schools. The AHAP staff consults with classroom teachers on an ongoing basis. The entire student body may benefit through sharing materials, experiences, ideas and other resources. 

Students in grades three through five who have scored in the highest range within the standardized testing program are placed in a pool of candidates. The district then selects 3% to 5% of each grade's population to participate in AHAP. Once a child is accepted into AHAP he/she need not re-qualify. New students are considered for admission every year in September. Students who do not qualify for AHAP are given consideration for enrichment services in the home buildings.