The academic curriculum is central to the ADVANCE experience and the courses have been designed to offer academic enrichment or acceleration for our exceptionally talented students. Course Offerings span a broad spectrum, including: natural sciences (with laboratory components), mathematics, computer sciences, and the humanities. Many of the courses at ADVANCE are similar to those offered to undergraduate students at universities and students are encouraged to take advantage of enrichment courses that are not available at their local school. Courses emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, writing and speaking skills, and higher-order thinking.
ADVANCE is not designed to remediate skills – the courses are fast-paced and intensive. Students are urged to select courses from subject areas in which the student’s SAT or ACT scores demonstrate strong aptitude because their teacher will cover a great deal of material at a very quick pace.
Instructional Staff
Our instructional staff is committed to challenging and inspiring their students and to providing an exceptional educational experience. The instructors are a talented and diverse group who are well prepared in the academic fields they have chosen to pursue, each has a minimum of a master’s degree, and typically 35% - 45% hold a terminal degree.
Our instructors strive to provide interesting, high-energy educational experiences that differ from those that students encounter in their local schools. Instructors employ a variety of instructional strategies, including debates, exploration of real-world phenomena, discussion/focus groups, simulations of real-world activities, peer teaching/presentations, guest speakers, lab experiences, field trips, individual or group research, and media presentations (computer, film, television). Enrollment is limited to 15 students per course and therefore ADVANCE has a low student-faculty ratio.
Every course also has a teaching assistant (TA) who is selected from a candidate pool of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. The TAs are an integral part of the academic experience and many are interested in pursuing a career related to their course topic. They assist with class instruction during the day, lead the hour-long guided study five nights per week, serve as role models, and enforce the ADVANCE behavioral guidelines. Additionally, TAs reside in the dorm with the students and assist with student supervision.
Student Evaluations
Evaluations are mailed to student’s homes within two weeks after the close of ADVANCE along with a course description and syllabus. These items may be useful in requesting placement or credit from the student’s local school. The evaluations are completed by the instructor and assess the student’s performance in such areas as intellectual processes, work habits, peer interactions, and products created in the course such as tests, essays, visual projects, journal and creative writing, research, and presentations.
Students who intend to include their ADVANCE Program participation as part of their college admissions portfolio should be sure to keep a copy of the rubric evaluation. The ADVANCE Program cannot guarantee that copies of the evaluation can be mailed at a later date.
Neither Northwestern State University’s ADVANCE Program nor Northwestern State University will produce a transcript for ADVANCE students. High school credit may only be issued by the student’s home school.
Requesting Course Credit or Placement
After completion of an ADVANCE course, course credit and placement vary according to the policies of a student’s individual secondary school. Once a student has been accepted to an ADVANCE course, it is important to begin the process of seeking credit or placement from local schools before arriving at the program. Students seeking course credit or placement should contact their local schools before attending ADVANCE. The following steps will assist you in obtaining course credit or placement at your school:
- Contact the person at your child’s school who would grant credit or placement for a student’s work at ADVANCE (school counselor, vice-principal, or registrar). Show them the ADVANCE brochure and direct them to www.advanceprogram.org for information regarding the program.
- Explain that ADVANCE students enroll in one course for three weeks and attend class for 104 contact hours.
- Inform the local school official that at the end of ADVANCE, students receive a course description, course syllabus, an evaluation rubric, and the instructor’s recommendation for course credit or placement. Students will not receive transcripts. If ADVANCE can be of assistance to you in this process, please contact the Assistant Director at (318) 357-4500.
- Traditionally, the finals for our math, science, and computer courses are approved by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Articulation Agreement with Northwestern State University
Some of the courses offered by ADVANCE may qualify for articulated college credit at Northwestern State University (NSU). When age appropriate, former ADVANCE students must be admitted and enrolled at NSU in order to apply for articulated credit. Former ADVANCE students must contact the ADVANCE office to complete the necessary paperwork in order to obtain credit for an ADVANCE course in the Articulation Agreement. The former ADVANCE student will be granted NSU credit contingent upon earning a grade of B or better in an ADVANCE course listed below and enrollment at NSU. Students will be granted credit only – no letter grade will be issued.
NOTE: The ADVANCE student will not be issued a transcript from NSU for work completed during ADVANCE.
- Algebra 2
- Chemistry
- Exploring the Arts
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parents or guardians may schedule a conference with course instructors on the last day of ADVANCE to discuss their student’s academic progress during the program. Face-to-face conferences are available for parents who plan to be on campus during departure day. A telephone conference may be arranged for parents who are unable to be present on departure day. However, all phone conferences must take place before the end of the program.
Computer Access
Students have access to a computer lab for word processing purposes and Internet research as needed for class. Additionally, e-mail is offered as an activity three times per week for those students who wish to contact family and friends using the Internet. ADVANCE prohibits students from bringing their personal computers.