Grace Program
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Giftedness Recognition and Curriculum Enrichment
The GRACE program is tailored to the educational needs of our most cognitively advanced middle school students. This extracurricular class seeks to offer academic enrichment, to stretch and grow these student’s potential, develop their God-given talents, and support their social, emotional and academic wellbeing.
GRACE is not entirely skills-focused, but facilitates student immersion in subjects worthy and delightful to study, but which do not figure in the mainstream curriculum.
This immersion fosters growth in key academic skills like critical thinking, abstract thinking, and creative thinking. It builds community among these students and develops emotional resilience through academic risk-taking, inner motivation, and self-acceptance.
Most importantly, the GRACE program promotes an awareness of giftedness as a divine gift, encouraging a return of gratitude to God for gifts received.
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“Our students at St. Ignatius are amazing, with a huge range of talents and interests. We love their dedication to excellence both in and out of the classroom.”
- Dr. Mary Frank, School Advisory Council Member & GRACE program champion
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Requirements
Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students will qualify for an invitation to the GRACE program based on their ITBS test scores. All students who score at or above the 95th percentile in any ITBS category will receive an invitation during Q4 of the current year to participate for the next academic year. Participation in the GRACE program is voluntary among students who qualify.
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Schedule
- Weekly rotation of subject matter shifting between Literature & Math/Science
- 3 year curriculum cycle ensuring students do not repeat curriculum during their middle school years.
- Fall Semester- Literature & Math/Chess
- Spring Semester- Literature & Science/Chess
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