1. The main difference is that QUEST at the elementary school is a pull-out program whereas QUEST in middle school is a regular class that meets everyday.

2. A second difference is that QUEST at the middle school is combined with QUEST English so the QUEST students meet QUEST/QUEST English ninety minutes everyday.

During this time period they participate in a gifted, interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum that includes an independent study component. They also receive their language arts instruction through the combined curricula of QUEST and QUEST English. QUEST English provides a somewhat faster paced, more indepth and advanced/enriched language arts instruction.

3. A third difference is that QUEST students receive a Pass/Fail grade on the report card for QUEST as well as indepth evaluations based on district program criteria and rubrics. QUEST English receives a numerical grade in the same manner as other middle school classes.

4. A fourth difference is that QUEST classes at the middle school level are larger than QUEST classes at elementary school. In general, QUEST middle school classes have from 20 to 25 students in a class.

Both QUEST/QUEST English and PreAP Language Arts at eighth grade provide the background and skills necessary to challenge able learners and help them succeed in advanced classes at high school. The main difference is that QUEST/QUEST English is designed to meet the special needs of intellectually and creatively identified gifted students. So, the curriculum provides for both project-based,open-ended learning opportunities as well as advanced language arts learning opportunities. Generally, the QUEST staff recommends that identified QUEST students continue in eighth grade QUEST, but the final decision should be made based on the individual needs, interests and abilities of each student. Please contact your campus QUEST teacher to set a conference to discuss this. For more information, click on the below link.
www.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=acad.ss.adv.prog.quest.ms.eng

1. The main difference between high school and middle school QUEST is that students do not have to take the QUEST class to be served in the QUEST program.

2. The QUEST Independent Study Mentorship Class at high school is not combined with any other core area class but is an Independent Study Mentorship class that may be taken during any year of high school and can be taken more than once.

3) QUEST students may also enroll in the QUEST Pre-AP English I and II classes. English I and II Pre-AP QUEST classes cover the Pre-AP English literary analysis and writing curriculum through an approach that is developmental in scope and focused on instruction in and application of critical and creative thinking skills, research and independent study skills, oral and written communication skills, literary analysis skills, affective skills and social skills. Students are taught the requisite Pre-AP English skills in a challenging environment that promotes creative and critical thinking. English I and II Pre-AP QUEST are structured to provide opportunities for projects and extension of QUEST students’ creative and divergent thinking.

4. Plus, QUEST at high school is also the QUEST Lab that allows QUEST students to come at various times in the day and to use in a variety of ways to support their needs. Students may come to the QUEST Lab to work on projects (both for other classes and their own personal ones), to participate in discussion groups, independent study, time management/study skill groups, interest groups or other activities. The QUEST Lab activities vary with the campus students and their needs.

5. The high school QUEST Facilitator is the QUEST Class teacher and the QUEST Lab Facilitator. The QUEST Facilitator supports the QUEST students' academic, personal and socio-emotional needs. Parents and teachers of QUEST students may meet with the QUEST Facilitator about the needs of QUEST students. QUEST students may meet with the QUEST Facilitator whenever they have a need. The QUEST Lab is open during 3rd and 6th periods at all high school campuses as well as during other times before, during and after school as scheduled by each high school QUEST Facilitator.

1. High school QUEST students may have interests they are passionate about and want to explore in more depth, but they don't have time to take the QUEST Class. They can still explore their interests with the assistance of the QUEST Facilitator through the QUEST Lab.
2. As juniors or seniors, the QUEST students can combine their QUEST Independent Study Projects with their Senior English Projects. In so doing, they can get credit for their Senior English Projects AND get credit on their transcripts for successfully completing a Gifted Independent Study.
3. QUEST students may pursue their Independent Study projects through the QUEST Lab over more than one year, perhaps doing their research one year and completing their independent Study in the next year.
4. QUEST students may also have shorter projects for other classes that they can work on through the QUEST Lab should they need additional space or assistance.
5. QUEST students may use the QUEST Lab and QUEST Facilitator to help form interest groups or clubs. For example, QUEST students have formed Chess Clubs, Anime' Clubs, Destination Imagination teams, and book discussion groups based on their personal interests.

To be part of the QUEST program at high school, QUEST students do NOT have to take the Independent Study Class. They may elect to participate in QUEST through the QUEST Lab and/or the QUEST Pre-AP English classes.
For more information, click on the below link.
www.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=acad.ss.adv.prog.quest.facts

IB is the International Baccalaureate program for gifted students. It is for all students who wish to pursue a comprehensive, advanced academic studies program. Students take IB tests and may qualify for the IB Diploma. Depending upon their scores, students may receive advanced standing or college credit for their junior and senior IB courses.

IB and AP are similar in that students are exposed to college level curricula in both programs and take exams to demonstrate their learning which may lead to college credit. IB and AP are different in that IB is a whole curricular program that encompasses six different subject areas as well as a theory of knowledge course, an extended essay and a creativity-action-service component. AP is course specific, and each course is independent of other AP courses.

For more information about the IB Program, please click on the below link.

www.leanderisd.org/default.aspx?name=acad.ss.adv.prog.qaIB