Advanced Academics

ELEMENTARY DISTRICT QUALIFYING MEET DATES TBA

Site:  PSJA Southwest ECHS

• Anaya Elementary
• Chavez Elementary
• Escobar Elementary
• Garcia Elementary
• Palmer Elementary
• Palacios Elementary
   

 Site:  PSJA North ECHS

• Arnold Elementary
• Long Elementary
• Ford Elementary
• Kelly-Pharr Elementary
• Longoria Elementary
• Ramirez Elementary
   

 Site:  PSJA ECHS

• Cantu Elementary
• Carman Elementary
• Clover Elementary
• Doedyns Elementary
• Garza-Pena Elementary
• Sorensen Elementary
   

Site:  PSJA Memorial ECHS

• Garza Elementary
• Guerra Elementary
• Farias Elementary
• Livas Elementary
• McKeever Elementary
• Reed & Mock Elementary
• Trevino Elementary

 

UIL ELEMENTARY TRI-CITY DISTRICT MEET OF CHAMPIONS

Site:  PSJA ECHS

Calculator Applications

Chess Puzzle

Dictionary Skills

Listening Skills

Maps, Graphs & Charts

Impromptu Speaking

Modern Oratory

Solo Acting

Duet Acting

Spanish Poetry

Mathematics

Number Sense

Poetry

Prose

Ready Writing

Science

Social Studies

Spelling

Accounting

Calculator Applications

Computer Applications

Computer Science

Cross Exam Team Debate

Current Issues and Events

Editorial Writing

Feature Writing

Headline Writing

Informative Speaking

Journalism

Lincoln Douglas Debate

Literary Criticism

Mathematics

News Writing

Number Sense

Persuasive Speaking

Poetry Interpretation

Prose Interpretation

Ready Writing

Science - Biology

Science - Chemistry

Science - Physics

Social Studies

Speech

Spelling and Vocabulary

The Advanced Placement Program in PSJA our students (8-12) exposure to college-level material and provides them the opportunity to show what they have learned by taking AP Exams.

Many colleges and universities will grant college credit to these students for their scores on the AP exams.

PSJA ISD offers a full range of AP classes in all high schools and middle schools. The program begins eighth grade with AP Spanish Language and culture, continues in the ninth and tenth grades with Pre-AP classes that prepare the students for AP courses in grades eleven and twelve.

There are many factors to consider when deciding which AP courses you should take. The types of courses, when to take them, and the amount of college-level work a student may be ready for varies.

While the AP Program doesn’t require high school students to be at a specific grade level for a specific AP course, some courses are recommended before others.

 

Link to AP Courses: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses 

PSJA ISD AP Courses Offered

Biology

Calculus AB

Calculus BC

Chemistry

Computer Science Principles

English Language and Composition

English Literature and Composition

Environmental Science

European History

Human Geography

Macroeconomics

Microeconomics

Physics 1

Physics 2

Precalculus

Psychology

Research

Seminar

Spanish Language and Culture

Spanish Literature and Culture

Statistics

United States Government and Politics

United States History

World History: Modern

A Capstone Project is a long term, in-depth investigative project about a real-world issue (career focus) culminating with a final Product, Paper, Portfolio and Presentation.

Students develop a question or idea that is significant to the specified field of study for the student.  Grounded in the context of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the project will develop an important content area question or idea in depth and may not necessarily reflect broad contest knowledge of the field.  Additionally, the project will demonstrate the use of sophisticated and advanced research methods and the use of technology appropriate to the field of study.  The project will result in learning that is demonstrated through products or performances appropriate to and comparable in quality to those of a professional who works in the field of study.  A capstone project consists of a project portfolio: proposal, research paper, physical artifact or product, and a presentation with a question-and-answer session.  In line with the goals of PSJA ISD, the Advanced Academics department is continuously striving to ensure that students' Capstone projects remain pertinent to current societal issues. To achieve this, a new criterion has been introduced requiring students to align their projects with one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative aims to prompt our graduates to consider the broader global community and how their projects can address some of the most pressing challenges worldwide.

Scripps Spelling Bee

Every year, students from all walks of life have the opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. They progress from classroom to cafeteria, from auditorium to civic center, just as millions of other students have done before them.

The National Spelling Bee began in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee. Little did they know that 90 years later their literacy effort would reach 11 million students each year.

PSJA ISD currently has students in grades 1 - 5 participate in the Scripps Spelling Bee Programs.

The STEM Summer Camp is aligned to the district’s goal of educating and equipping middle school students with STEM skills to encourage them to pursue STEM related jobs of the future.  The Robo-Code Camp is a hands-on collaborative program engaging students in a curriculum that is focused on problem-solving, using physical science and mathematical skills.  

  

Thousands of high school students from across the state participate each year in this highly motivating, energetic, and challenging academic competition! The program provides a great way for students to gain an “insider’s view” of our judicial system, plus, they gain confidence speaking in front of others and have a lot of fun at the same time.

The Dallas Bar Association Mock Trial Committee is responsible for the organization and administration of the statewide high school mock trial program, which was established in 1979. Each calendar year, over 160 schools across the state and approximately 2000+ students participate in this exciting advocacy competition. In addition, there are hundreds of attorneys and judges involved in the judging of each trial of the competition. 

PSJA ISD has its five High Schools compete each year.  Our Mock Trial teams participate in Mock Trial classes each Friday on a rotation basis as well as a PSJA ISD Mock Trial Clinic each year.

The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools. As congressionally mandated by Title 10 United States Code, Section 2031, each military service must have a JROTC program to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guide post for the program’s success.

The U.S. Army’s JROTC program currently operates in more than 1,700 public and private high schools, military institutions, and correctional centers throughout the United States and overseas. PSJA ISD offers JRTOC at PSJA ECHS, PSJA North ECHS, PSJA Memorial ECHS, and PSJA Southwest ECHS.  PSJA ISD JROTC offers a wide array of programs including: archery, air rifle shooting, physical training, robotics, and a rigorous curriculum.