Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When did the Lighthouse Program begin?

    Fall, 2003

  2. What are the school hours?

    7:35 am – 3:00 pm

  3. Where is the Lighthouse Program Located?

    Easily accessible from the metro area

    Located on the Spring Lake Park High School Complex, 7925 Able St.,Spring Lake Park, MN 55432.

  4.  What about transportation?

    Parents are expected to transport students to the school. Car pools are arranged by parents who are interested in carpooling. 

  5. What do students do about lunch?

    Students may bring or buy lunch. Federal Guidelines for Free and Reduced lunch meals is available on our Food Services page

  6. Are the Lighthouse students assigned a teacher/facilitator?

    Yes, each student will be assigned an advisor.  The student can reach out to any of the staff for assistance and guidance.

  7. Who can attend the Lighthouse Program?

    Students who meet Lighthouse Program criteria whose residence is within school district boundaries or outside the school district boundaries are eligible to apply

  8. What are the criteria for selection for admission into the Lighthouse Program?

    The criteria listed below will be consider as a portfolio assessment:

    • Achievement test scores - A combination of standardized test scores drawn from the student’s record that provide evidence of mastery of age appropriate content
    • Ability test scores - Results of group or individual ability test scores that provide evidence of superior performance
    • Grades from previous schools
    • Products of independent performances - Evidence of student’s capacity to pursue areas of intense interest:  A demonstration of the student’s insatiable curiosity, wonder, and awe with the world
    • Written teacher recommendations - Teacher’s observations and insights into the nature of the student’s task commitment, motivation, ability, and capacity to work collaboratively
    • Interview by selection team

    • Example of student writing - Student’s response to the prompt which elicits the writer’s argument for admission to the Lighthouse Program

  9. Are Twice-Exceptional Students accepted into the Lighthouse Program?

    Twice-exceptional students have been accepted in the past.  Each student who applies is considered after careful review of the portfolio, which in the case of the twice-exceptional student would contain the IEP.  Reviewers will pay close attention to the accommodations identified in the IEP.

  10. How will Lighthouse Program students engage in the learning?

    Lighthouse Program students, engaged in inquiry experiences, will pursue questions shared by those with common interests. Students will have the option to pursue on line learning in math and world language. Students in the program will be with their intellectual peers, not necessarily their age peers.

  11. How will the different age groups’ needs be met within the Lighthouse Program?

    Lighthouse Program students’ learning needs will be met by creating a differentiated classroom. Differentiated learning embraces content, management, instruction and assessment. It means that at times, some students will be working independently and at other times they will be engaged in guided learning. They will work alone and together. Groupings will be determined by interest, not necessarily age. Students will work at learning stations, on task assignments, on collaborative investigations and other research options. They will engage in lecture, Socratic dialogue, learning circles, and creative production. Lighthouse program students may engage in concurrent enrollment with the high school, enrolling in specific coursework to meet credit requirements or to gain the necessary knowledge for success in further Lighthouse Program investigations. Differentiated instruction responds to the nature of the Lighthouse Program student. One size fits few.

  12. How will assessment take place in the Lighthouse Program?

    Ongoing assessment is a critical aspect of instruction in the Lighthouse Program. Norm-referenced assessment informs planning and instructional change. In the "Lighthouse Program" nationally norm referenced testing will take place in the fall and spring of the school year. Students will be grouped by age for testing to accommodate the process. Students in grades 2-12 will demonstrate an average gain of 1.5 years in reading and math scores on Northwest Evaluation Association Achievement Level Tests (ALT) and we will monitor progress on individual growth on the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP). We believe this system will provide timely and accurate assessment of student progress in the curriculum and on state standards. We expect to rely on the results from the MCA’s and Basic Skills testing (BST) to provide guidance on instructional effectiveness. Grading assessments will be derived from student performance on problem investigations.

  13. What opportunities exist for acceleration?

    The nature of these insatiable learners provides evidence of speed and efficiency in thinking processes. Research (Rogers and Kimpston, 1992) suggests an appropriate educational program model for gifted students should include opportunities for grade level and content acceleration. The Lighthouse Program is structured around student readiness rather than age. Grade levels assignment dissolves within this model. Advancement is dependent on demonstrated competency. Acceleration will be imbedded in the structures of the Lighthouse Program. Given the nature of these students we would expect them to finish the traditional K-12 experience 2-4 years earlier than other children enrolled in traditional programs. The pacing of introduction of new skills and concepts would be extraordinarily fast. Distinctions between grade dissolves in this model as students’ needs are matched to appropriately challenging content and skill instruction. This framework suggests multi-aged groups pursuing big ideas, flexible, impermanent groupings collaborating on specific issues, concurrent mentorships, tutoring, early entrance to college, and AP offerings.

  14. What is the Inquiry Approach?

    Inquiry learning reflects real life. Researchers are finding out that solving real-life problems  or completing real world projects better matches the nature in which the brain learns and retains information. Inquiry learning is a natural fit for the curious mind. Inquiry learning matches the curiosity, desire for depth and complexity, and the intensity of the insatiable learner who would be served by this program. Their natural curiosity, their ceaseless drive to understand why, their capacity to make connections and see their world as an integrated whole: all are characteristic of the Lighthouse Program students. These interpersonal characteristics fit naturally with the complexity of the learning planned at the Lighthouse Program

  15. What is the selection process?

    The first step in the application process is to contact Angell Pearson to arrange a meeting with Dr. Bill Keilty.  During that meeting you will be guided on a tour of the Lighthouse and have an opportunity to pose questions.  At the conclusion of that meeting your will have a better understanding of this unique program.  Following the meeting, a day will be established for your child to spend at the Lighthouse.  During that day your child will experience some of the activities typical for our students.  After that visit and the family indicates an interest to continue the process, we establish an interview date at which the candidate shares with the interview team the contents of the portfolio.

  16. What should be included in the portfolio?

    The portfolio should contain test results, including MCA’s,  CogAT results, Standford-Binet V results, Nagliari results, Slosson-R results and or, NWEA results: report cards, samples of writing, evidence of the candidate’s pursuit of interests, awards, recognitions, letters of recommendation

  17. Do you have a waiting list?

    No

  18. Are your teachers certified?

    Yes. Core teachers are MN certified in elementary education or core subject areas. They are also certified to teach academically/intellectually gifted children or in the process of completing that certification.

  19. How much does it cost to attend the Lighthouse Program?
    There is no tuition to attend the Lighthouse Program. We are a public school. However we do collect activity fees to support school enrichment activities.

  20. How long do you plan to be at this location?

    In August of 2010 we moved to the current location at 7925 Able St in Spring Lake Park.  We are located near the High School.

  21. Can my child graduate from the Lighthouse Program?
    Many of our students stay with the Lighthouse Program until high school graduation.  Some of our students have graduated with their age peers.   Some of our students have graduated early.  All have been accepted to colleges and universities across the country.

  22. What do you have to score to get into the school?

    Students who score in the +97% on standardized test results would be considered for acceptance after the formal interview.  During the interview the candidate shares a portfolio that reflects him as a learner.

  23. Do siblings receive priority for admission?

    Siblings of students who have been in the program are expected to go through the application process.  Siblings must meet the admission criteria.

  24. How are parents involved with the school?

    We have many opportunities for parent involvement. 100% of our parents make contributions to the school, through time, money, or expertise.

  25. Will the school notify me about the status of my application?

    Yes, via email.