The Des Moines Diocese organizes an algebra class each year for students who are in need of higher-level math programming in middle school.  The class is held before school at DCHS so students do not miss any part their regular school day.  Students who take Early Bird Algebra do not take their regular math class at St. Francis but instead attend a study hall during which they complete their algebra class homework.  Students do not earn high school credit for this course but upon successful completion are eligible to enroll in a higher-level math course as a freshman at Dowling.

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from Dowling as well as paying for the class outside of regular St. Francis of Assisi School tuition. 

In order to begin the qualification process for admission to this class, students must have:

           --A recommendation from their math teacher

           --GPA of 3.70 or higher

           --History of high math total scores on the ITBS (93 or higher)

           --Score of 145 or higher on CogAT (for enrollment before 8^th grade)

Students are then invited to take the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test.  In order to be invited to participate in the class, students must score in the top stanine (8 or 9) of the exam.

Dowling Catholic High School offers an outside extended learning program for exceptionally gifted middle school students.  Students who enroll in Dowling’s Extended Learning Program attend classes with current DCHS students during part of the school day and St. Francis of Assisi for the other part of the day.  Students earn high school credit for these classes and grades initiate their high school GPA.  Students must meet multiple eligibility criteria, which have been established and uniformly upheld by all Catholic schools in the Diocese. 

Qualifying students must meet or exceed the following requirements:

--Teacher recommendation with principal’s approval

--The most recent ITBS score in the 98^th or 99^th percentile based on national       norms in all subjects in which the student wishes to enroll for course work

--Most recent GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.70 or better in the core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies

--For enrollment in mathematics course work, performance on the IAAT (Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test) with a score in the 9^th stanine.

St. Francis of Assisi School, The Des Moines Catholic Diocese and Dowling Catholic High School are pleased to offer these alternate learning experiences for qualified students.  Consideration for extended learning programs normally takes place in early spring.  There is no need to contact the school should you be interested in these programs--parents of St. Francis students are notified as necessary if extended learning programming is appropriate for their child.  However, if you feel your child has or will be somehow overlooked, please contact:

Mr. Adam Tjeerdsma--Vice Principal of St. Francis of Assisi School

atjeerdsma@saintfrancisschool.org

or

Mrs. Stephanie Larson--Enrichment Program Teacher

slarson@saintfrancisschool.org

.