Is your student college ready?

For the best chance of making your visions of success a reality, preparing for your student's future has to start much earlier than graduation. GISD believes that "college and career readiness" begins in elementary school and encompasses a strong academic foundation. Additionally, GISD has identified some key steps students should take to get ready, setting the stage for future success!

Creativity

Creativity is measured with something called the Torrance Test. Our art teachers value the results of the Torrance Test and utilize this procedure during our art auditions at Walnut Glen Academy. At WGA there is a concerted effort to nurture the creativity of all children in all areas. We continually strive to teach "outside the box".

STEAM

Walnut Glen students participate in rigorous classroom instruction daily, including STEAM activities that allow students to use Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math skills. These help our students obtain future ready skills. Each grade level was given a different challenge where students had to work together with their team to design a working product.

• Kindergarten designed a working maze for a marble to go through from start to finish.
• 1st grade was challenged to use recycled materials to design a parachute that safely carried a gummy bear.
• 2nd graders use recycled materials to design the Big Bad Wolf, a product that would create a puff of air strong enough to move a large marshmallow.
• 3rd graders were given the task to build a balloon powered car.
• 4th graders are building a vehicle powered only by rubber bands.
• 5th graders have to design and build their very own roller coaster. 

 Winners from each grade level were chosen and will compete in the GISD STEAMposium.

Technology in the classrooms and beyond

Students at Walnut Glen visit the computer lab several times a week. Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders have iPads available to them throughout the week, and 3rd - 5th have iPads available each day. We also have a Chromebook C.O.W. (cart on wheels), as well as an additional 12 library Chromebooks available to all students. Walnut Glen has two computer labs, as well as computers available to students in the library, and three Chromebooks to a classroom.

Technology for all WGA students continues to be an internal part of our school day.

Online resources

Skyward is our student information system.  Use Skyward Family Access to find student grades, attendance and more.

 

DimensionU consists of four engaging and interactive multiplayer video games that focus on core skills in math and literacy. Each game is designed with unique features that bring out distinct academic and strategic skills in students.

Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.