AN ONLINE SCHOOL THAT IS NAILING IT
INTRODUCING SCHOLARS ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED
Dear Stanly County Community,
THE SCHOLARS ACADEMY FOR THE GIFTED IS A FULLY ACCREDITED PRIVATE SCHOOL
FOUNDED & DIRECTED BY DR. LAURA LOWDER OF PFEIFFER'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Our scholars' achievement, continuously evaluated in our classrooms, is triangulated with the scores achieved through additional assessment tools and is used, formatively, to plan instruction and summatively, as a record of adequate & (often) high growth. Our small teacher: student ratio, combined with our individualized and personalized teaching and learning approach through effective, intentional instruction from effective teachers is in part what we believe makes such a difference.
Our scholars have achieved above-grade-level performance on this rigorous testing, in all areas. Our data speaks for itself. Thank you, parents, for empowering us to do our work.
*Note: K-7 scholars did not take the science test, this year.
Note: Percentiles are based on 2020 norms using more than 3.5 million records from students across more than 24,000 public schools, across all 50 states. These results, displayed as percentiles, are ("hugely") statistically significant.
The average student taking these tests scores about as well as 50% of students across the US, in each tested area. So, an average score comes out at about the 50th %tile.
Scholars Academy Scores, when averaged, rank between 23 and 34 percentile points ABOVE the national average.
Our average language score is as strong as or stronger than about 82 percent of students across the country.
Our average math score is as strong as or stronger than about 80 percent of students across the US.
Our average reading score is as strong as or stronger than about 79% of students across the US.
This comparison may be visualized using the depiction below.
NOTE: Absolutely MOST importantly, the faculty of Scholars Academy did not spend a single minute "teaching to the test", nor have we emphasized any high-stakes connected with achievement on our end-of-year exams. We firmly believe that so long as we teach well and promote a positive attitude for the process of learning, the results will speak for themselves. We actively refute the practice of high pressure, high-stakes, one-shot testing, or teaching and learning through fear of inadequate results. We are most proud of our scholars, faculty, parents, and all of our stakeholders, for empowering one another to engage through joy and positivity. Indeed, the results (again, this year) have spoken for themselves.
Bravo, Scholars Academy for the Gifted & Artistically Elite!
OUR LOCAL HUB @ THE HIVE IN DOWNTOWN ALBEMARLE (Near the Pfeiffer Center for Health Sciences)
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OUR GUIDING PHILOSOPHY, OUR HOW, AND OUR WHY
https://www.gifteddevelopment.org/
Meet Our Acclaimed Faculty
A Brief Faculty Introduction Compilation
Julianna Tauschinger-Dempsey
Upper Academy Lead English & History Faculty
Harvard UniversityBachelors in Social Anthropology
Manhattan School of Music
Masters of Vocal Performance
Vocalist for Zurich Opera
David Nichols
Upper Academy Science Faculty
Columbia University
Masters of Philosophy in Chemistry
California Institute of Technology
BS Chemistry
North Carolina State
Environmental Engineering
Wingate University Chemistry FacultyLeah Klos
Mindfulness/Yoga Faculty
Certified Yoga InstructorVideo Intro. is in the "HELLO" link, above
Hannah Hill Park
Associate Director K-7 Curriculum Integration and Communications
Union County Teacher of the Year 2021
Masters in Education Pfeiffer University
B.S. Elementary Education Pfeiffer University
K-12 Gifted Teacher Licensure
Crystal Pittman
American Sign Language (ASL) Faculty
Piano, Voice, Trombone, Ukulele
Graduate Student in Music & Music Education, Columbia University Teachers College
B.A. Music, Pfeiffer University
Owner of 7Keys Music
2016 & 2017 Teacher of the Year Recipient Steinway Piano Gallery-Charlotte
Harrison Forman
Upper Academy Math Faculty
Teacher of the Year East Rowan High School 2021Mathematics and Secondary Mathematics Education
Pfeiffer University
Alexia Rose
Lower Academy Faculty
B.S Elementary Education
Concentration: Social Studies
Appalachian State University
K-12 Gifted Teacher Licensure
Kamini Wood
Social & Emotional Faculty & Support
Mrs. Wood is the CEO of her own professional business, as a certified Life Coach. She serves our scholars by providing support and guidance for our high-achieving (and sometimes under-achieving) learners to become empowered, self-leaders; working to free scholars from stress, anxiety, & feelings of overwhelm. Her goal is for our learners to quiet their inner critic and to overcome self-judgement (perfectionistic tendancies). Mrs. Wood helps our learners to create a mindset with a more positive YOU/SELF.
Sarah Pellitier
M.Ed. Visual Arts
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Ms. Sarah's art curriculum is dynamic and is designed to include cross-curricular lessons that integrate STEAM, language arts and social studies to help facilitate personal and real world connections between the students and the art they make and study.
Samantha Schubach
Scholars Academy @
Cary Ballet Conservatory
Michael Lowder
Masters of Science Genetics
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Science Biology
Western Carolina University
Specialty: Arachnology
Department Head of Life and Physical Sciences
Stanly Community College
Laura Lowder
Doctorate of Education University of Florida
Pfeiffer Elementary Education Program Coordinator
K-12 Reading Specialist
K-12 Gifted Teacher Licensure
National Board for Professional Teaching Licensure (Renewed)
Phase One ISTE Certified Educator (International Society for Technology in Education)
Pfeiffer STEM Camps Director
Sarah Jarrett
Lower Academy Math Faculty
B.S. Elementary Education
University of North Carolina-Greensboro
Sharon Ou
I inspire and spark the love of learning in children everyday.
It is my duty to teach the “how,”
but it is my passion to teach the “why."
Video Intro. is in the "HELLO" link, above
Keira Kapner
Intermediate Book Clubs
Substitute Educator
Scholarship Opportunities
Families can apply for the 2022-2023 school year now and throughout the enrollment period. Funding based on availability of funds and eligibility.
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Join Us and See Your Child Thrive as Our Scholar
We love our scholars as individuals and we appreciate the unique attributes that each one brings into our classroom.
Fully Accredited Private School
Serving Students IN North Carolina, Across the United States of America, & Welcoming Students Internationally
InnovativePedagogyEngages@gmail.com
We look forward to welcoming your family into our Scholars Academy family.
Dr. Laura Lowder :)
Director, Founder, & Curriculum Specialist