Sherman ISD Building Bearcats Magazine March-April 2018 | Page 15

In addition to Duke Talent Identification Program and Superintendent Scholars , the district offers Gifted and Talented at the elementary and intermediate school level , and Pre Advanced Placement , Advanced Placement , Dual Credit , and some career and technical coursework for students in middle school and high school . The district also integrates English and Language Arts , History , and humanities at the high school level to ensure curriculum crosses all areas .
Before students even reach high school , excellence is ingrained in them and expectations are high .
“ By the time they get to us , they ’ re already in that frame of mind ,” Sherman High School Counselor Michelle Burton said . “ They want to get into selective colleges , get ahead , score well on their SAT and ACT exams ; all we have to do is provide them with the tools they need to continue with that .”
Two of these tools are AP and Dual Credit courses . Sherman High School was the first in the area to allow students to take Dual Credit courses over the summer . As freshman , students meet with their counselors to map out their high school course path so they are able to stay on track all four years .
National Junior Honor Society at Piner Middle School , and National Elementary Honor Society at Washington Elementary . All elementary campuses and Dillingham Intermediate will implement honor societies during the 2018-19 school year .
Chris Mogan , Sherman High School ’ s principal , says that academic excellence goes beyond the expectations and is rooted in the teachers , students , and the district .
“ There is a proud tradition of excellence because of the longevity of teachers that have been here for 20 , 30 , even 40 years ,” Mogan explains . “ Our district leadership understands that we want to do more than what the state expects , so we ’ re always a step above and a step ahead .”
Whether it ’ s students , teachers , coaches , staff members , or the community , Sherman ISD is # BuildingBearcats and their academic success .
Sherman is still looking for ways to continue improving advanced academic offerings and scores . Assistant Superintendent Susan Whitenack shared plans the district has to further encourage and support students toward academic success , including the Sherman High School SAT Day and a Gifted and Talented advisory program .
“ We have a day for all juniors and any interested seniors to take the SAT at school , during the school day , and we will be paying for it ,” Whitenack said . “ We are making sure that our students are getting everything they need as learners . We really want to prepare students for success in the future .”
SAT Day at Sherman HS benefits students by making the tests more accessible and assisting with costs to take the tests . It will be expanded in 2018-19 to make the PSAT and SAT test available to all sophomores and juniors each year .
Students are also recognized through membership in National Honor Society at Sherman High School ,
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