Paradise Valley Unified School District

located at Shadow Mountain High School, 2902 East Shea Blvd., Phoenix

Paradise Valley Unified School District announces a program for gifted & talented high school students, The Digital Learning Center, located at Shadow Mountain School

The DLC High School is open to gifted and talented students entering 9th grade in the 2012-13 school year. This program is a rigorous, yet flexible, three or four-year plan that integrates technology and Advanced Placement coursework.

Through the use of project-based learning, students will be engaged in a rich and rigorous academic environment while developing the computer and information technology skills they need to be successful in the 21st century. The program curriculum aims to prepare each student for exemplary performance at the Advanced Placement levels in a high-tech environment by integrating course topics across curriculum areas and posing problems based on major thematic elements found in national standards as endorsed by Common Core, NCSS, NSTA, ISTE, and NCTE in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Technology.

The DLC HS is a project-based learning environment that embodies 21st century learning through ubiquitous technology, featuring literature integration within the content area.

The program, based on innovative instructional practices for authentic learning, incorporates and features:

Teaching that is student-centered with the instructor acting as a resource and guide.
Integration of core academic coursework & standards through thematic relationships and dichotomies.
Inquiry and project-based learning for exploring themes.
Extensive collaboration for student produced outcomes.
A global perspective that cultivates 21st century learners.

The PVUSD DLC high school program is available in a flexible three or four year plan with a unique, block of multidisciplinary core classes as a common element.

3 Year Plan - click here

Freshman Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

AP World History / Honors English 1-4 / Honors Digital Story Telling 1-2
Math Option: H Geometry 1-2, H Algebra 3-4, or Honors Pre Calculus
AP Biology
World Language
Elective Option: PE or Fine Art

Sophomore Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

AP English 5-6, AP US History, Honors Digital Story Telling 3-4, Honors Interdisciplinary Com & Lit 1-2
Math Option: Honors Alg 3-4, Honors Pre Calculus, Calculus AB or BC
AP Chemistry
Elective Option: World Language

Junior Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

AP English 7-8, Honors Digital Story Telling 5-6, AP Gov & AP Macro Economics
AP Physics or AP Environmental Science
Math Options: Honors Pre Calculus, Calculus AB or BC, Calculus III/Differential Equations, or AP Computer Science
AP Statistics
Elective Option: World Language

All DLC students will also participate in regular community service activities.

4 Year Plan - click here

Freshman Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

AP World History, Honors English 1-4, Honors Digital Story Telling 1-2
Math Option: Honors Geo 1-2, Honors Algebra 3-4, or Honors Pre Calculus
Fine Art
World Language
Elective Option: PE

Sophomore Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

AP English 5-6, AP US History, Honors Digital Story Telling 3-4, Honors Interdisciplinary Com & Lit 1-2
Math Option: Honors Alg 3-4, Honors Pre Calculus, Calculus AB or BC
AP Biology
World Language

Junior Year
Multidisciplinary Core:

Ap English 7-8 / Honors Digital Story Telling 5-6, AP Government & AP Macro Economics
AP Chemistry
Math Options: Honors Pre Calculus, Calculus AB or BC, Calculus, III/Differential Equations
Honors Interdisciplinary Com & Lit 1-2
World Language

Senior Year
Honors Interdisciplinary Comp & Lit 3-4

Math Options: Calculus AB or BC, Calculus III/Differential Equations, AP Computer Science, or AP Stats
AP Physics or AP Environmental Science
Elective
Elective
Internship

All DLC students will also participate in regular community service activities.

Application Requirements

Gifted identification, OR
Exceed standards on AIMS in two of three areas
PLUS 3.5 GPA

AND

Student statement
Teacher recommendation

Application Process and Criteria

Students will be expected to:

Be self-directed and self-motivated learners.
Have a desire to investigate social and educational dimensions of information technology.
Be interested in information technology and digital learning processes.

Application (PDF)

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