Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) is a designation given to resident K-12 schools for exemplary implementation of Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) services and support. 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.

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Students are eligible for 3rd Street’s SAS program if they meet ONE of the following criteria:

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1.      Be identified as gifted by an L.A. Unified designated GATE psychologist in the Intellectual, High Achievement, Specific Academic, Creative, or Leadership Ability Category. (Grades 1-5 only)

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2.      Scored in the Standard Exceeded range on the 2018 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) or received a national percentile score of 85% or above on a District-approved standardized norm-referenced test (most recent year only) in both total reading and total math. (Grades 3-5 only)

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3.      Demonstrates the ability or strong potential to work two years above grade level in academic subjects AND the ability to meet ALL FOUR of these critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their primary language (Grades K-5):

• Explain meanings or relationships among facts, information, or concepts that demonstrate depth and complexity.

• Formulate new ideas or solutions and elaborate on the information.

•  Use alternative methods in approaching new or unfamiliar mathematical problems.

•  Use extensive vocabulary easily and accurately to express creative ideas.

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Kindergarten SAS applicants must also meet of minimum of 10 out of 20 of the following criteria:

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• 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

 

HOW TO APPLY

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Students residing within the SAS site’s boundaries: 

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Students residing within the school boundaries of a designated SAS site who meet the eligibility criteria will be placed in our school’s SAS program (unless opted out by parent). Grade K-5 resident students interested in enrolling in the school’s SAS program must inform the office when enrolling. The school will then proceed to verify the student’s eligibility.

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Students residing outside of 3rd Street boundaries (but within L.A. Unified boundaries): 

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For the 2020-21 school year, all L.A. Unified students in grades PreK–12 who reside outside school boundaries and who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible to apply for SAS participation through the Choices process at either https://apply.lausd.net/ or http://echoices.lausd.net/. The early application widow opens on October 1 and closes on November 15. The “Late Application” window opens on February 3.

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In addition to the process above, some applicants may have to submit additional documentation. Prior to submitting an application, please review closely the following to ensure that your application is complete.

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Incoming Kindergarten Students:

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If your child meets all four critical thinking and problem-solving skills please have the school that your child is currently enrolled in complete the Verification of Eligibility form and SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.

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Once the Verification of Eligibility and SAS Kindergarten Readiness Checklist have been completed by the school, parents/guardians or school site personnel must submit the completed and signed form(s) by Friday, November 15, 2023, at 5 pm in a sealed official school envelope with the principal’s signature across the sealed side by:

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U.S. Mail:

Unified Enrollment
P.O. Box 513307
Los Angeles, CA 90051

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OR

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Hand Deliver:
L.A. Unified Headquarters/Unified Enrollment
25th floor reception desk
333 S. Beaudry Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017

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NOTE: Prior to the deadline of Friday, November 15, 2023, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 to confirm receipt of the completed forms. Parents/guardians will not automatically be notified when forms are received.

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Incoming Grade 1-5 Students Currently Enrolled in a LAUSD School:

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Additional verification forms are not required for students currently enrolled in LAUSD (except LAUSD independent charter schools). Upon receipt of the Choices application, the District automatically verifies eligibility through District school records and the District’s online verification process. Parents/guardians must make sure student qualifies before submitting application.

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Incoming Grade 1-5 Students Currently Enrolled in a private school, independent charter, or non- L.A. Unified school:

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Please have the school that your child is currently enrolled in complete the Verification of Eligibility form.

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Once the Verification of Eligibility has been completed by the school, parents/guardians or school site personnel must submit the completed and signed form(s) by Friday, November 15, 2023, in a sealed official school envelope with the principal’s signature across the sealed side by:

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U.S. Mail:
Unified Enrollment
P.O. Box 513307
Los Angeles, CA 90051

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OR

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Hand Deliver:
L.A. Unified Headquarters/Unified Enrollment
25th floor reception desk
333 S. Beaudry Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017

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NOTE: Prior to the deadline of Friday, November 15, 2023, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to call the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 to confirm receipt of the completed forms. Parents/guardians will not automatically be notified when forms are received.

 

For additional information regarding the application and student selection process or for information regarding verification of eligibility, refer to the 2023-2024 Choices brochure, call the Choices Support Line at (213) 241-4177 or visit echoices.lausd.net.