What is Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS)?
Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) demonstration sites receive the SAS designation for their exemplary Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) implementation. By providing high-quality differentiated instruction with an emphasis on depth, complexity, acceleration and novelty, SAS sites offer high-level academic opportunities that meet the unique educational needs of K–12 gifted learners, identified in the Intellectual, High Achievement, Specific Academic, Creative and Leadership Ability categories or verified based on critical thinking/achievement.
School choice is not the primary purpose of SAS, rather, the goal of SAS is to recognize and nurture model demonstration sites at resident schools to share innovative, equitable, and effective GATE practices Districtwide. Resident schools must undergo a rigorous application process every five years to obtain/maintain SAS designation. SAS sites exemplify the District’s expectations for high-quality GATE implementation at all K-12 schools.
SAS teachers and administrators are required to participate annually in professional development specifically tailored to address the unique academic and social-emotional needs of gifted/talented learners.
Currently there are 149 SAS sites located throughout L.A.Unified. (Independent charter schools, Magnet programs, and Dual Language Education programs are not eligible for the SAS designation.)
Who can apply to Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS)?
Applicants must reside within the boundaries of the Los Angeles Unified School District and meet specific eligibility requirements. SAS is a K-12 school designation. Pre-K and TK SAS classes are not available.
Eligibility criteria for SAS, as well as the corresponding verification processes and forms, are outlined on the eChoices website and in the Choices brochure (pages 10-12).
What is the difference between Gifted Magnet and SAS?
The Magnet Program is a Court-Ordered voluntary integration program, coordinated by Student Integration Services, open to all L.A.Unified students. Some of the Magnet programs available are designated as Gifted or Highly Gifted. In order to apply to one of these programs through the Choices process, students must first meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Choices brochure or on eChoices (Verification of Eligibility for Gifted Magnet Programs and Schools for Advanced Studies).
Schools for Advanced Studies, coordinated by Gifted/Talented Programs, Advanced Learning Options, are model GATE demonstration sites at resident schools. SAS is the GATE instructional program at designated resident schools. Students residing within the boundaries of a designated SAS school who meet the eligibility criteria must be placed in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program (unless a parent has opted out). Students residing within L.A.Unified boundaries – but outside the SAS site’s residential boundaries – may apply for participation through the Choices process. If spaces are available – after accommodating all students who meet eligibility criteria and who reside within the school’s residential boundaries – a selection process for qualifying SAS applicants will be conducted. In order to participate in SAS, students must first meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Choices brochure or on eChoices (Verification of Eligibility for Gifted Magnet Programs and Schools for Advanced Studies).
Gifted Magnets, Highly Gifted Magnets, and Schools for Advanced Studies cluster gifted/high ability students for instruction and provide differentiated instruction with an emphasis on depth, complexity, novelty, and acceleration.
The eligibility criteria to apply to Gifted Magnets and SAS are identical. To qualify to apply for a Highly Gifted Magnet, the applicant must meet the qualifying score on an Intellectual Ability assessment administered by an L.A.Unified designated GATE psychologist. Eligibility criteria for all programs, as well as the corresponding verification processes and forms, are outlined on the eChoices website and in the Choices brochure (pages 10-12).
How do I apply for an SAS site?
You may complete the application online at GoTo.Lausd.Net or the Choices brochure contains the application for SAS sites and is available October 1, 2018. The application and verification forms, if applicable, are due November 9, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
Please note that if your school of residence has the SAS designation, you do not apply for SAS participation through the Choices process. Students residing within the boundaries of a designated SAS school who meet the eligibility criteria must be placed in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program (unless a parent has opted out). No formal application is required for a qualified student who resides within the school’s boundaries. Your child’s eligibility will be verified at the SAS site through District records and articulation with the sending school. If you have questions, contact the school directly.
If the SAS site is an affiliated charter, in a Zone of Choice (ZOC), or is an Admission Criteria School, see the corresponding FAQ for application information.
How is my child verified as eligible to apply to SAS?
For an applicant to be eligible for SAS, the student must be verified as meeting one of the criteria outlined in the Choices brochure (page 10) prior to November 9, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
L.A. Unified Applicants (Currently Enrolled in an L.A.Unified School):
Although L.A.Unified applicants must meet the required program-specific criteria outlined in the Choices brochure, a Verification of Eligibility form and SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist, if applicable, are NOT required for applicants (grades K-12) currently enrolled in an L.A.Unified school. Upon receipt of an application, the District will automatically verify eligibility.
Private School, Independent Charter, and Non- L.A.Unified Applicants:
The parents/guardians of private school, independent charter, and non-L.A.Unified students who are applying to Schools for Advanced Studies must follow the procedures outlined in the Choices brochure (pages 10-12) and verify that the student’s current school of attendance has submitted all required verification forms by November 9, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.:
For an applicant, previously identified as gifted/highly gifted by an L.A.Unified designated GATE psychologist, who is currently attending a private school, independent charter, or non- L.A.Unified school, the parent must submit a Verification of Eligibility form to ensure that the applicant is included in the District database.
What are the criteria for an incoming kindergarten student applying to an SAS site?
All kindergarten SAS applicants must be verified by the administrator of the preschool or the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program as meeting the third eligibility criterion (i.e., critical thinking and problem-solving skills), as well as criteria listed on the SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.
What are the criteria listed on the SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist?
In addition to meeting the critical thinking and problem-solving skills criteria, an incoming kindergarten student must demonstrate at least ten of the twenty skills/characteristics listed on the SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.
- Can work independently with evidence of goal-directed behavior
- Uses descriptive words in sentences and uses language to express emotions, ideas, and opinions (in primary language)
- Can tell or retell a story with detailed description and expression (in primary language)
- Can recognize and repeat complex patterning sequences and create own patterns
- Can follow multi-step directions with little guidance or redirection
- Identifies the letters A to Z, knows the sounds of all of the letters of the alphabet, and can write many of the letters
- Able to orally count to 100, visually identify numbers from 1 to 100, and write numbers 1 to 25
- Demonstrates innate or accelerated understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Able to remember information and experiences (e.g., can recite song lyrics, recall facts, etc.) and make connections
- Able to recognize sight words and read with fluency and comprehension
- Demonstrates strong concern for others and their feelings; strong sense of justice
- Initiates play sessions, coordinates and integrates multiple complementary roles, and considers the actions of others
- Uses unconventional objects in play activities
- Interacts easily with peers; frequently sought out by peers for companionship, ideas, and decisions
- Demonstrates mature sense of humor; responds to and creates riddles and verbal associations
- Demonstrates evidence of reasoning, logical thinking, creativity, and spontaneous incorporation of academic activities into free play
- Expresses ideas, seeks information through questioning, and enjoys interacting verbally with adults and older children
- Demonstrates advanced task commitment and energy when learning
- Able to remember complex information and decode symbolic systems (e.g., maps, codes, etc.)
- Demonstrates curiosity; displays unexpected depth of knowledge in one or more areas
What should I do if my kindergarten applicant did not participate in preschool or TK?
Please contact Gifted/Talented Programs at (213) 241-8361 for information regarding verification procedures.
Can I apply to more than one SAS site?
Students may apply for up to three SAS sites. If the applicant is selected to their first choice, choice two and three are not considered. If the applicant is selected into any program of their choice, the student will not be placed on any waiting list. If there is no space available in any of their choices, the student will be placed on the waiting list for their first choice only.
May I fax my application?
No. All applications are to be sent via U. S. mail or submitted online. Applications may also be hand-delivered to L.A.Unified Headquarters, Unified Enrollment, 25th floor reception desk, at 333 South Beaudry Avenue, Los Angeles, 90017. Unfortunately, L.A. Unified cannot be held responsible for lost applications or verification forms.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
Parents may submit late applications beginning February 1, 2019. If space becomes available the school will contact you directly. The late application does not guarantee placement at the school site.
How are students accepted into SAS?
Once eligibility is verified, applicants are randomly selected to attend SAS sites. The number of students selected is based on the number of available spaces at a particular school (students who reside within the school’s boundaries MUST be accommodated first). The number of available seats varies by school and grade level. Some SAS designated sites are able to accommodate all applicants, while others have limited or no space available for students who reside outside the school’s residential boundaries.
If spaces are available – after accommodating all students who meet eligibility criteria and who reside within the school’s boundaries – a selection process for qualifying SAS applicants will be conducted in this order:
1) Siblings residing within L.A.Unified boundaries (must meet SAS eligibility criteria)
2) Students residing within L.A.Unified boundaries (must meet SAS eligibility criteria)
There is no priority point accrual process for Schools for Advanced Studies.
To ensure equity and access, each of the three SAS eligibility criteria carries equal weight in the selection process. Therefore, priority placement is not given to students identified as gifted/highly gifted or those who meet test score criteria.
Are students selected on a first-come first-served basis?
No. The selection process is random and occurs after the on-time application deadline.
Is there guaranteed selection if I apply?
No. Applicants are not guaranteed selection.
How do I know if my child was selected or not?
In December, you will receive a letter confirming receipt of your child’s application. In February, you will receive a letter that provides information about your child’s eligibility for the selected program(s). In March, you will be notified by online parent account or U.S. mail as to whether your child was selected or placed on the waiting list.
What is my child's status on the waiting list?
Your child’s status will depend on the number of openings at the school of application as well as the number of applicants. You may call the school to inquire about potential selection.
When will my child get called from the waiting list?
Calls to students on the waiting list may begin as early as April and continue through the fourth week of the fall semester. Students may also be called during the first two weeks of the spring semester.
Do I have to reapply every year?
Students who are currently enrolled in an SAS site do not have to reapply unless they want to change schools (this includes promotion to the next school level, such as elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school). If a student remains on a waiting list, then the student should reapply.
If a resident student is participating in SAS but moves outside of the school’s residential boundaries, this student would need to apply through the Choices process for continued participation (space is not guaranteed). If a student moves outside of L.A. Unified boundaries, this student is no longer eligible to apply for SAS.
What if my resident school has the SAS designation?
Students residing within the boundaries of a designated SAS school who meet the eligibility criteria must be placed in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program (unless a parent has opted out). All qualified students who reside within the school’s boundaries must be accommodated before any SAS applicants are enrolled. No formal application is required for a qualified student who resides within the school’s boundaries since SAS is the school site’s GATE instructional program for its students. Your child’s eligibility will be verified at the SAS site through District records and articulation with the sending school. If you have questions, contact the school directly.
What if the SAS site is an affiliated charter school?
Student selection, enrollment, and placement in the SAS gifted/talented program at affiliated charter schools must be conducted in accordance with the State and District legal requirements established for charter schools. Affiliated charter SAS sites do not participate in the Choices process. For affiliated charter SAS enrollment procedures, contact the school directly.
What if the SAS site is in a Zone of Choice (ZOC)?
If a parent would like their child to attend a Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) site within their Zone of Choice (ZOC), the 8th grade student must select that site during the ZOC selection process. If a student is assigned to a designated SAS site through this ZOC process and meets one of the SAS eligibility criteria, this student must be accommodated in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program.
For information about Zones of Choice, contact the ZOC office at (213) 241-0466 or at http://achieve.lausd.net/zoc.
What if the SAS site is an Admission Criteria School?
One SAS designated site, Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy, is an Admission Criteria School. As such, student selection, enrollment, and placement will be conducted in accordance with local school policy. Refer to the Admission Criteria Schools section of the eChoices website or the Choices brochure for more information.
