Our Vision: 
To ensure opportunities and supports that empower students with advanced learning needs.

Youth Art Month
Virtual Showcase
Celebrate some of our amazing PCSD artists!

BMS Spelling Bee Winners
​for 2020-2021
1st place - Ally S.
2nd place - Brycen Q
3rd place - Izzy S
Well done on this virtual event!
Congratulations to Danielle H, a fifth grade virtual student, for winning the
​CWTAG  Regional 
Spelling Bee!
Students participated from Adams-Friendship, Montello, Pardeeville, Reedsburg, Tomorrow River & Wild Rose.  Jack M. from Reedsburg placed 2nd, and Noah B from Pardeeville placed 3rd.
Other participating students...
Endeavor - Marren M & Jackson V
Lewiston - Colin L & Gerald G
Virtual - Julius C & Danielle H
Rusch - Shawn R & Annabelle S
Muir - Alex B & Isabella G
The US Department of Energy's
​Science & Math Quiz Bowl for high school students occured on Saturday, Jan. 16.  The team of Alex S, Macy G, Jacob G and Ezra L scored well, but just missed the cut off for the elimination rounds. 
The middle school team of Olivia G, Ethan M, Joey B, Iris B and Julia C will compete in February.
Advanced Learner Opportunities  
​2020-2021

Art Club 
America Answers - Virtual, April 12-28 
Battle of the Books
College Days for Kids - April 
Creative Arts Festival 3/4 - cancelled
Creative Arts Festival 5/6 - cancelled
​Drama Club
Fine Arts Weekend  - cancelled​
Geography Bee - Regional - Virtual, Jan. 14
Haiku Contest​​​ - due Feb. 1
Leadership Expeditions - cancelled​
Lego Club - on hold
Math 24 
Local - Virtual, Grades 4 & 5 - January 15.
Local Virtual,  Grade 6 - March 3.
Regional - Virtual, March 9
Math Matters​ - cancelled
Musicals
Opera for the Young
​Problem Solving
​Reading Rocks - October - April
Safety Patrol
Science & Math Quiz Bowl - Regional - Virtual, Feb. 6
Solo-Ensemble
Spelling Bee - Regional - Virtual, Feb. 2
STEAM  (UWSP) - Boys & Girls - Virtual, Feb. 12 & 19
Student Council
Talent Shows
Young Authors Contest  - Regional - Virtual, May 25
Youth Art in Madison - on hold

Esteemed Authors! 

The following students entered a piece of writing in the Young Authors Contest and were selected to have their work published in an anthology. They also will attend a regional writing conference with published author, Amy Laundrie!  Congratulations to all!
Poetry
​Jesse A, Kinley L, Olivia K, Julia C, Caiden W, Annalise C, Solayna D & Taryn K.
Personal Narrative
​Austin M, Kaitlyn T, Quinton S, Bryce B, Charlie M, Kathryn T & Ginger J.
Creative Writing or Argumentative Essay
Asher B, Ava W, Stella E, Iris B, Alivea K, Liam S, Olivia R & Rachael J.
Middle School
​Science & Math Quiz Bowl 
Team members Olivia G, Ethan M, Joey B, Julia C and Iris B recently participated in this challenging virtual event.  Questions included topics from all areas of science along with current research from national laboratories.  They did a fantastic job and worked well together as a cross grade level team.  
Math 24 WINNERS!
First - Riley W, Brody K, Hailie N
Second - Abby P, Makenzie P & Blake E
Third - Iris B, Olivia K & Solyana D
Alternates - Samantha W, Chance C & Natalie D.
These students attended a virtual REGIONAL competition in March!  Congratulations! ​
Many thanks to all our proctors and adults who made our competition possible: Joy Zajda, Kevin Brown, Cindi Edwards, Kathy Tofson, Amy Eppinger, Nikki Schoenborn, Stephanie Clements, Matt Dietzenbach, Dawn Brauner, Eileen Marshall, Angie Gulrud, Heidi Brost, Bobbie Greiner, Kim Goelke, Danielle Johnsen, Mary Kaluzny, & Mari Burdick.
The Geography Bee results are back and Portage performed exceptionally well!

JOSIE C. earned 3rd place in the Geography Bee finals!!  She qualified with 6 other students (out of 120) to participate in the virtual competition.  After ten rounds, the winners were announced.
Portage's 7/8 grade team won SECOND PLACE out of ten teams.  Members were Josie C, Ethan M, Olivia G, Ally S, and Luke Z. They worked so well together!

Our 5/6 grade teams did incredible as well:
Jefferson D, David M, Jayden C, Alex Z and Brody K. earned FIRST PLACE out of 14 regional teams!
Katherine H, Aman K, Chance C, and Alex B. earned FIFTH PLACE.

Please congratulate these students when you see them! ​

​Photos and Resources are always being added to the Advanced Learner Website.
​Be sure to check back often to see what challenges students are participating in.

Philosophy

Mission
  • All children are entitled to an education tailored to their particular needs.  While all students have personal strengths, some have abilities and talents that go beyond the core curriculum.  Such students often require access to differentiated or advanced curriculum in order to realize their potential contribution to themselves and to society.   
  • A continuous and dynamic identification process helps assure that the talent potential of ALL children is consistently and continuously assessed for the purpose of appropriate instruction.  
  • The district’s advanced learner program is not the sole responsibility of one person or group.  Those who are involved with planning, implementing, supporting and evaluating the district’s advanced learner program include administrators, teachers, related service staff, advanced learner coordinator, psychologists, counselors, and parents.
  • Create Individualized Learning Plans for Tier III identified students by collaborating with parents and staff.
  • Assist teachers to meet the needs of advanced students in their classroom.
  • Implement programming K-12 by providing district and regional opportunities for developing individual growth of advanced students. 
  • Develop student understanding and acceptance of self and others.