School Wide Enrichment Model implemented at Atlanta Primary School

Atlanta Primary School has partnered with the University of Connecticut to implement the School Wide Enrichment Model (SEM) for all primary school students.  
An APS Leadership Team has been established and trained in the foundations of the SEM model at the university this past summer.  This team worked to develop the structure and practices of SEM that are custom tailored to capitalize on the unique talents of both faculty and students at APS.  
According to Principal Donna Rice, “The major goal of the SEM is the application of gifted education pedagogy to total school improvement. The SEM provides enriched learning experiences and higher learning standards for all children through three goals; developing talents in all children, providing a broad range of advanced-level enrichment experiences for all students, and providing advanced follow-up opportunities for students based on their strengths and interests. T
‘he SEM focuses on enrichment for all students through high levels of engagement and the use of enjoyable and challenging learning experiences that are constructed around students’ interests, learning styles, and preferred modes of expression.”
SEM (called BEST at APS—Believing in Every Student’s Talent) will be each week on Friday afternoons.  Students are currently participating in taxidermy, photography, recycling, pets and vets, aviation, cooking, musical instrumentation, oceanography, paleontology, holidays, Hallmark entrepreneurs, farming, mammal study, computer coding, jewelry making, marine biology, solar systems and aviary studies. Students choose their area of interest and spend six weeks of exploration in that field.  
“We are very excited to offer this program to the students of APS,” Rice said. “Atlanta Elementary School implemented this model two years ago with tremendous success and have played a vital role in helping to ensure its success on our campus. It is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students.”