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 CULTIVATE CURIOSITY-UNEARTH PASSION-GET OUT OF THE WAY!
Project Based Learning:   Students develop as self directed learners through creating a project based on their own passions. 
Let's face it. Most bright students will do well in school in whatever they choose to do.  Students who are excelling need to find what it is that they are passionate about. What intrigues them?  What questions do they have about the world they live in? What do they wonder about when they aren't booked up with activities?  We introduce students to lots of different topics of study so that they can freely explore independently or with a partner and see where it leads them. 
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DIG DEEP AND GO WIDE!
Extra-Curricular Projects:  Students use some of their rote skills, whether in science, social studies, math or language arts to create a project using that knowledge.  Exploring these concepts and how they are used to solve real world problems brings comprehension and application to a new level.  Vocabulary, math concepts and historical facts come alive for students as they create an amusement park, design a cool bedroom, or solve an astronomy mystery.
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HIGH TIDES RAISE ALL SHIPS
Inquiry, Math Labs and Metacognition-Whole class and small group enrichment brings students to new levels of understanding with regards to problem solving and cooperative learning.  Lessons introduce students to thinking about how they learn best and what strengths they bring to the table.  At the same time they are  becoming effective communicators by listening to others' perspectives of tasks presented.  They are invited to repeat many of the tasks to improve their repertoire of strategies to solve and share with others.   They learn how to ask the questions rather than the teacher!
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD
Type III Research-as students develop their interests, they begin to move beyond researching topics of interest into becoming globally aware citizens by exploring their passions.  They study their topics through the lens of someone who wants to improve something about the topic.  They begin to ask themselves, "What can I do as a third grader to . . ." Now research has true meaning and purpose.  "I'm interested in electricity.  Maybe I can get people to conserve energy  in their own homes."  This type of work takes most of the school year and lots of grit and perseverance.  Through continuing research, identifying a problem, connecting with a mentor and finishing a product, students learn that even though there are roadblocks and unexpected turns along the way,  being committed to their real world problem reaps a great reward that they can take with them to future learning.