Honors
Introduction
Santiago Charter Middle School offers GATE and high achieving students a differentiated program that pairs rigorous academic goals with an accelerated, in-depth academic program focusing on student achievement. Students are looked at as individuals and are encouraged to become life-long learners and leaders of tomorrow.Philosophy
The educators that comprise the honors team promote academic excellence while striving to meet the needs of the individual honors student. Students are encouraged to be active participants in their educational experience and further their academic growth through projects and participation in diverse educational activities.Standards for Placement
Students who are GATE identified and/or have a score of Advanced on their 6th grade CSTs are automatically accepted into the Santiago Honors Program. High achieving students with CST ELA scores between 385 and 399 will be considered on a case by case basis. A test for placement may be offered and these students will be evaluated each trimester to ensure proper academic placement.Additional Offerings
In addition to a highly-experienced and qualified staff, the Santiago Honors Program offers a variety of academic experiences and extracurricular activities that meet the needs of the adolescent student and set it apart from the traditional middle school experience:
Academic Excellence
- High school credit classes in French, Spanish, German, algebra, and geometry
- Analytical thinking and writing instruction in all core classes
- In-depth study of classic and modern literature; SAT vocabulary instruction
- Active learning, project-based instruction
- Technology imbedded into the core curriculum
- Princeton Review standardized test preparation
- PSAT: students take the test; parent meeting follows to discuss test results
- Career awareness
- Recognition of Academic Excellence: STRIVE, Wall of Fame
- National Junior Honor Society (NJHS—17 years at Santiago)
- GATE identification through Santiago Middle School
Electives Program
- Foreign Languages: French, Spanish and German
- Industrial Arts
- Computers
- Drama
- Choir
- Band and Orchestra
- Art
- Home Economics
Extracurricular Activities
- Science Olympiad
- Academic Pentathlon
- Physical Education Decathlon
- Clubs
- Field Trips
- Spelling Bee; Geography Bee
- Travel Opportunities
Leadership Opportunities
- ASB and Leadership Team
- Peer Tutoring
- Community service (NJHS; New Generation)
Required Courses
Each seventh and eighth grade student will have a total of seven classes. Five of the classes are required courses:1. Language Arts (Honors Placement for both 7th and 8th grade)
2. Math (Honors Pre-Algebra, Honors Algebra I, Geometry)
3. Social Sciences (Honors World and US History)
4. Science (Honors 7th and 8th grade)
5. Physical Education
Seventh grade students participate in the foreign language wheel in which they experience one trimester of French, German, and Spanish. In addition, students will participate in the electives wheel where they experience curriculum in three of the following areas: music, art, drama, woodshop, home economics, computers, and speech. Students participating in Band or Orchestra will enroll in just one wheel.
Eighth grade students, under the guidance of their parents/guardians, choose two, year-long electives. Additional eighth grade offerings include Musical Theatre and foreign language for high school credit.
Dates to Remember
The Open Enrollment window is from March 1, 2012 to March 16, 2012.Contact Information
For further information or questions about Open Enrollment please contact:Barb Newsom, GATE Coordinator: E-mail: bnewsom@orangeusd.org
Jim D'Agostino, Principal: E-mail: jdagostino@orangeusd.org
| Mrs. Serra Barton, English (8th year at Santiago) B.A., English and Physical Education: CSU Long Beach Standard Secondary Credential Former Girls Athletic Director and District Department Chair, McPherson Teacher of the Year, McPherson |
Mrs. Cathie Hunsberger, English (19th year at Santiago) B.A. summa cum laude, English Literature: DePauw University (Phi Beta Kappa) M.A., Educational Leadership and Curriculum Instruction: National University Single Subject Credential, Language Arts National Board Certified Teacher UCI Writing Project Fellow OUSD Middle School Teacher of the Year Curriculum Manager, Santiago |
| Mrs. Marisa Mallory, History (8th year at Santiago) B.A., History: Cal Poly Pomona M.A., Education: Claremont Graduate University Single Subject Credential, Social Sciences Supplemental Authorization: English Certificate in GATE Education Curriculum Manager, Santiago UCI History Project Presenter |
Mrs. Kristi Peckham, History (13th year at Santiago) B.S. cum laude, Public Administration with emphasis in Criminal Justice: CSU Dominguez Hills (Phi Kappa Phi) Masters of Education: Graceland University Single Subject Credential, Social Studies Honorary Service Award Recipient, Santiago STRIVE Coordinator UCI History Project Fellow |
| Mrs. Barbra Newsom, Math (11th year at Santiago) B.A., Liberal Studies with emphasis in Geological Sciences: CSU Fullerton M.A., School Administration: Azusa Pacific University Multiple Subject Credential Research Lab Technician for Union Oil (fossil fuel division) GATE Coordinator Success in School Coordinator |
Mrs. Teri Califf, Math (2nd year at Santiago) B.A., Humanities: Chapman University M.A., Educational Technology emphasis National University Multiple Subject Credential: Supplemental Authorizations: Math/Life Science Focus on math instruction for 18/24 years OUSD Middle School Teacher of the Year UCI Math/Science Project Fellow Thinking Maps Program Presenter |
| Mrs. Dorothy Yan, Science (4th year at Santiago) B.S., Biological Sciences: UC Irvine M.A., Education/New Media Design/Production: CSU Los Angeles Single Subject Credential, Biological Sciences Supplemental Authorization: Computers Field Operations Supervisor, US Census Bureau NJHS Advisor |
Mrs. Kim Meier, Science (5th year at Santiago) B.S. cum laude, Biological Sciences: UC Irvine Single Subject Credential, Biological Sciences Supplemental Authorization: Chemistry Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Middle Manager, HMO Industry AVID Coordinator, Santiago UCI Physics Institute Participant |