Students of Academic Rigor (SOAR) Program
Beginning in 1993, the U.S. Department of Education defined giftedness as:
“Children and youth with outstanding talent who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.”
To support our identified gifted, academically advanced, or talented students, Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools created the Students of Academic Rigor (SOAR) program, unique within the Diocese of Erie.
At Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools… we teach life.
SOAR Program Features:
- Academic Enrichment: Small group and independent learning experiences once per week during the school year.
- Activities:
- Academic Games and Competitions
- Career Exploration and Job Shadowing
- Field Trips
- Community Service Projects
- Inter-District Workshops with Gifted Students from Public Schools
Goals
Academic Excellence: Enhance students’ competency and proficiency in:
- Investigation and critical thinking
- Communication
- Creativity
- Interest exploration and self-awareness
- Research
- Independent and small group studies
Criteria for Participation
Students exhibiting most or all of the following attributes are candidates for SOAR:
- High-level Thinking Ability
- Academic Creativity
- Leadership Skills
- Intense Interest in Specific Subjects
- Communication Skills
- Technological Expertise
- Problem-Solving Capability
- Creativity and Originality
SOAR Admissions Process
The three-step admissions process includes Identification, Formal Evaluation, and Final Determination.
1. Identification of Potential SOAR Candidates
Potential candidates for the SOAR program at Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools can be identified through three methods:
- Parental Request: Parents who believe their child is gifted or highly talented can request a multi-disciplinary evaluation from KCFS to determine eligibility for the SOAR program.
- Teacher Referral: Teachers may refer students whose classroom performance suggests they may be gifted or highly talented, notifying both administrators and parents.
- Test Score Review: SJPII administrators and staff annually review the Stanford Achievement Test scores for students in grades two through five to identify those who may be gifted or highly talented. Parents will be notified if their child qualifies.
2. Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation
Once a potential candidate for SOAR has been identified, parents will be asked to complete a “Permission to Evaluate” form. This form authorizes KCFS to conduct a multi-disciplinary evaluation of their child. The evaluation, following Pennsylvania state guidelines, will include an assessment by a KCFS certified school psychologist.
3. Final Evaluation
Admission to the SOAR program is based on multiple factors, including the results of the multi-disciplinary evaluation:
- IQ Benchmarks:
- Gifted: IQ scores of 130 and above
- Enrichment or Highly Talented: IQ scores of 120-129
IQ scores are not the sole factor for admission. Students scoring slightly below or above these benchmarks may be admitted if they exhibit advanced creativity, exceptional performance in specific subjects (e.g., Math), or other recognized attributes of gifted students. The principal, in consultation with the Gifted Program teacher, will make the final admission decision.
Removal from the SOAR Program
A parent or administrator may remove a student from the SOAR program at any time during the school year. Reasons for removal include, but are not limited to:
- Excessive absenteeism
- Routine failure to complete SOAR assignments
- Inability to keep pace with SOAR program material
- Negative impact on day-to-day classroom performance
At Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools… we teach life.
Kennedy Catholic Family of Schools is a prestigious college preparatory Roman Catholic school system serving the Diocese of Erie from Preschool through Grade 12. We are dedicated to fostering spiritual growth, academic excellence, and enriching extracurricular activities, embodying our mission "to serve Christ" (Christo Servire).
See How To Apply
Call (724) 346-5531
For any kind of admission enquiry