1. AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR 1ST WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2008 P25
Sycamore School Experts in gifted education
agree that gifted kids
learn best with students
By Bob Sullivan For Custom Publications who think like they do in
a challenging and enriched
“Sycamore School serves the needs of academically gifted environment with an
accelerated curriculum
children,” said Dr. Susan Karpicke, the interim co-head of designed specifically for
school and the director of admissions. high ability learners.
Sycamore School’s curriculum is unique.
“We expect teachers to write and revise
curriculum appropriate for gifted children,”
Look to Sycamore
explained Karpicke, who has been on staff
for 21 of the school’s 24 years. - the leader in
Learning material is presented at a faster
pace than the average school.
“The curriculum is both accelerated
gifted education.
and enriched, and we allow time for the
children to explore each topic in great
depth,” she said.
Let’s talk about your child.
While Sycamore School meets or exceeds
state educational standards, it’s privately
funded, and students aren’t required to take Sycamore School is one of the few schools in the country
ISTEP tests. Students typically perform with the mission to meet the needs of gifted students.
two years above grade level in areas such as
science and social studies.
“For math and reading, we group students
by ability, allowing them to work at their
own level,” Karpicke said.
The school You and your family are invited to our
administers
normative
standardized Sycamore School
achievement 1750 W. 64th St.
Indianapolis
ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE
tests each spring
(317) 202-2500
October
October 19, 2008 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
to first-through
www.sycamoreschool.org
eighth-graders. _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
According
to Karpicke, EARLY CHILDHOOD
EARLY CHILDHOOD LOWER SCHOOL
LOWER SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
students are well prepared to begin high 2 yrs. 8 mos. - K
2 yrs. 8 mos. - K Grades 1 - 4
Grades 1 - 4 Grades 5 - 8
Grades 5 - 8
Submitted Photo
school upon graduation.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
“Most area high schools are eager to
receive our students and have programs
designed to challenge high-ability learners,
such as advanced placement classes or honors Serving the gifted
programs,” she said. children of Indianapolis
Young children are required to pass an
initial screening before admission. Grades: Pre-kindergarten through eighth grade For more information...
“We measure their language and cognitive Students: 421
development. When they get older, they Graduating class: 38 – 40 Call the Admissions Office
take a standardized IQ test to make sure the Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 317-202-2519
school is a good fit for them,” she said. (younger children, 5:1) ____________________________
Children usually are considered gifted if
their intelligence test score is 130 or higher. Schedule a Wednesday
These test results, along with feedback from also have several exceptional band programs Parent Tour
parents and teachers, help create an overall ____________________________
starting in the fourth grade.”
profile of each child. With Sycamore School approaching 25
Visit our website
Sycamore School’s curriculum includes years in operation, Karpicke is proud of the www.sycamoreschool.org
art, music, computer technology, physical school’s reputation as a local and national
education and Spanish. resource for gifted children.
“We also have extracurricular activities “When gifted children come to
like dance and drama for the younger kids. Sycamore School, they find a peer group
By middle school, we have a full sports of kids who think and learn as they do.
program, and our students compete against
1750 West 64th Street, Indianapolis, IN
We really encourage them to be themselves,”
www.sycamoreschool.org 317-202-2500
5302265
other private schools,” Karpicke said. “We she said.