Upper school students at all stages of academic development will be provided academic challenge. The Cambridge School Committee approved an Academic Challenge Policy for the Upper School Program in March 2012. This policy endorses heterogeneous classrooms with flexible grouping as an instructional strategy. Upper school students will not be assigned to separate upper school challenge programs, and separate challenge programs will not be offered in the upper schools. Students, classrooms, and units of study will not be designated as “honors” or “non-honors.” The Intensive Studies Program will be discontinued in 2012-13 as a result of this policy.
A Subject Acceleration Protocol has been developed for students significantly above grade level. These students will be assessed using both quantitative and qualitative evidence. Individual plans defining the most developmentally appropriate way to provide additional challenge will be developed for students assessed as significantly above grade level.