ALPS Frequently Asked Questions

What makes ALPS different from an honors program?
The main difference between the ALPS program and an honors program is the accelerated pace that ALPS offers. Students in the program complete significant portions of the tenth-grade curriculum by the time they finish ninth-grade. Classes that cover tenth-grade material include English 10 Honors, Pre-Calculus, AP Human Geography, Spanish, German, and French III, and Biology, to name a few. We also offer a wide variety of advanced electives to meet student needs and interests.

In addition, twelve faculty members are specially endorsed by the state in gifted and talented education. The faculty and staff are particularly sensitive to the needs of gifted and talented learners, and design their classes and curriculum around those needs.

How many classes do ALPS students take with other ALPS students? How many classes are shared with neighborhood students?
All English, Science, and Social Studies classes are designated as specialized ALPS classes. Through the natural sorting of schedules, most other classes tend to be made up of mostly ALPS students. Students are enrolled in math classes based on ability, so they may be in with some older students who are at the same level. As ALPS students advance in math, the concentration of ALPS students in the classes increases. Because foreign language classes are offered only to ALPS students in the seventh grade, the concentration of ALPS students in those classes is also high.

What advantages does Midvale Middle offer?
Midvale’s greatest asset is its talented and caring teaching staff. Midvale’s teachers and staff go out of their way to be sure the needs of all students are met. The student body is very welcoming, and because students come here from all over the district, you can make new friends very quickly. Because we have fewer than 800 students, and nearly half of those are in the ALPS program, we have a friendly and caring small-school feel.

What transportation is offered to ALPS students?
Buses pick up ALPS students every morning and drop them off every afternoon at the four elementary schools that host the ALPS program (Alta View, Jordan Ridge, Peruvian Park, and Westland). Many parents carpool mornings and afternoons to transport their students to and from the nearest ALPS elementary. For a detailed schedule, please call us at 412-2150. Also, before-school and after-school program are available, so a student can be at the school from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. if needed.

How do I get into the ALPS program?
A number of factors go into determining eligibility, including test scores and teacher, parent, and student referrals. Testing is conducted throughout the year, and students who move into the District who have been participating in other gifted and talented programs may be able to be admitted mid-year. For more information, please contact Kirsten Turpin from the Curriculum Department at Jordan School District by calling 567-8381.

Does an ALPS student have to retest every year to stay in the program?
Once a student advances from the elementary ALPS program, yearly testing is no longer required. Students who struggle academically at Midvale Middle will have their individual case reviewed as required to be sure that their needs are being met by the school.

How much homework should an ALPS student plan on?
The rule of thumb is that a student should expect ten minutes of homework per night, per grade. In other words, a seventh-grade student should have about seventy minutes of homework per night. In addition, the ALPS teachers coordinate a homework calendar so that large projects in various classes are not due at the same time.

What extra-curricular activities are available?
Midvale offers a wide range of activities, including debate, chess, Mock Trial, Model UN, MESA, Math Counts, National Junior Honor Society, theater, and others. In addition, the Homeroom Enrichment program, held for 35 minutes each day, offers students a chance to explore a number of areas of interest during the school day. Ten-week programs currently offered include Russian, Literary Magazine, Bicycle Repair, Chess, Basketball, Bowling, Web-Page Design, and many more.

What skills make an ALPS student successful?
Besides academic ability, an ALPS student should focus on planning and organization when it comes to school work. Because we understand that the transition from elementary school to eight teachers every day is sometimes difficult, we have a teacher assigned a class period to help students one-on-one who might need some extra help getting organized and staying on top of longer projects.

How safe is Midvale Middle?
Midvale is a very safe school; it is consistently listed as one of the safest in the District. Because of the relatively small number of students we serve, our supervision ratio is very favorable, and we know who are students are and what they need. Behavior expectations are very high for all students.

Do ALPS students tend to stay in the program?
The vast majority stay and find the ALPS program to be very rewarding. Very few switch schools, but a handful of students may move or end up returning to their boundary school in any given year.

What high school do ALPS students attend?
ALPS students, like all students in the District, can request a permit to attend the high school of their choosing. Many ALPS students choose to attend Hillcrest High’s International Baccalaureate program, while others attend their boundary high school (no permit required) or another high school in the District that they feel is the best match for their needs. Attending Midvale Middle will prepare students for continued success at whatever school they choose. The ALPS program offers a particularly strong foundation for students seeking to participate in the International Baccalaureate program.

To find out more about Hillcrest High School’s International Baccalaureate program, please click here