Advanced & Accelerated Programs
SAIL program
West Ottawa Public School’s SAIL (Students Accelerating In Learning) Program has been established to meet the needs of the academically advanced elementary student. Research has shown that children who are academically advanced learn two to four times faster than the average student in their area of strength.
By providing students with an accelerated and more challenging program, students’ feelings of frustration with the pace of grade level curriculum can be alleviated. Studies show that single subject acceleration can lead to academic gains well beyond a child’s current grade level.
Accelerated learning
Students progress more rapidly in specific curricular areas
- Middle school students can take high school courses for credit at their middle school site.
- 4th and 5th grade elementary students attend advanced classes at their elementary site or classes at middle school locations.
Advanced placement (AP) classes
A wide range of AP classes afford students the opportunity to pursue college level instruction and the option of college credit within the high school setting. We currently offer an impressive array of fifteen different AP courses on the high school campus.
- 269 students took AP exams in 2006-07
- 389 AP exams were taken for college credit
- An average 74% of WOHS students scored at or above the level recommended by the testing service for college credit
District, regional, state, and national competitions
in art, creative writing, debate, forensics, geography, instrumental music, Latin, math, robotics, science, spelling, theater, vocal music, and industrial/vocational arts
Dual enrollment
When appropriate, students may attend college classes at local institutions during the regular high school day. With a greater number and wider range of advanced placement classes offered at WOHS, more students are choosing to stay at the high school.
- OHS students take classes at area colleges
- Grand Rapids Community College and Kendall School of Art and Design offer classes on our high school campus.
Enrichment classes and activities
Offered periodically throughout the year and present the opportunity to explore various interests and strengthen skills
Extracurricular activities and programs
A variety of extracurricular programs are offered:
- FIRST Robotics (high school)
- LEGO Mindstorms (middle school)
- Science Olympiad (high school)
- Academic and service clubs/organizations
Midwest Talent Search (MTS)
5th-8th grade students take the SAT or ACT college entrance exam to assess academic abilities and apply to the PATH program
Program for Academically Talented at Hope College (PATH)
PATH is an accelerated math and writing skills program. 7th-9th grade participants meet once a week, progressing through the equivalent of four years of high school in two years.
