Pathways to Expertise
Supporting Wisconsin's Schools, Families and Thinkers in their Quest to Recognize Talent and Embrace Challenge
Select an area of interest.
The Center for Advanced Academics celebrates the talent in all Wisconsin schools. Our mission is to help schools and families identify and challenge student talent areas. This is a big task that begins in each classroom when strong differentiated practices like flexible and/or ability grouping, curriculum compacting, and tiered lessons, create a more personalized learning experience.
We also know that cultivating student talent requires collaboration between districts, schools, community groups, and families. When students are ready for the next level of challenge (RtI Tier II and III advanced learning interventions), we employ the Center for Talent Development Pathways approach to developing expertise. We invite thinkers to choose learning communities that match their talents and develop an understanding of what expertise looks like in the selected field. Once a thinker is identified as needing the next level of challenge, We offer programming meant to inspire emergent talent, challenge above grade level thinkers, and build student expertise.
Advanced Academic Programs have different attributes. Understanding the attributes can help you find the program that best suits your individual learning needs.
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Statewide | Statewide programs service students from around Wisconsin. |
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MPS Only | These programs are typically only offered to Milwaukee Public Schools. |
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Individual Registration |
Parents or Guardians can individually register their children for these programs. |
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Educator Registration |
Educators register selected students for these programs. |
Emergent Talent
Students registered in these programs are exposed to a variety of subject areas while cultivating a joy of learning and exploration. These programs bring together thinkers who share similar interests, but who are just beginning to acquire fundamental knowledge in a particular field.
Competency
Students registered in these programs receive an accelerated curricular experience that focuses on student talent areas. In these programs, students collaborate with like-minded peers to create products that reach beyond grade level expectations, and mirror the products of professionals in a selected field.
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Scaling-up Expanding Excellence for Underrepresented Students
See Us!
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Grades 5 - 8 | ![]() |
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Project A "MISSIONS" |
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Ages 3 - 16 | ![]() |
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Smart Spaces "CAMPAIGNS" |
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Online Academy "CHALLENGES" | |||||||||
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Ages 3 - 16 | ![]() |
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International Baccalaureate |
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Grades 3 - 8 | ![]() |
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ALEKS |
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Other Programs Highlighting Competency Include...
The Center for Talent Development (CTD) Weekend Enrichment Program
The Center for Talent Development (CTD) Civic Week
The Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) Young Students Summer Program
The Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) Summer Transitional Enrichment Program
The Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth (WCATY) Accelerated Learning Program
Expertise
Students in these programs work with community groups and universities that provide advanced coursework, mentoring & apprenticeships experiences. Thinkers tackle advanced level curriculum while networking with peers and professional in order to complete authentic work done in a field.
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International Baccalaureate |
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Advanced Placement |
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