The Hays Consolidated Independent School District recognizes that differentiated educational experiences beyond those normally provided by the regular school program are necessary for students possessing above average ability, high task commitment, and creativity.  In response to the unique needs of those children, Hays C.I.S.D. created the ALPHA-H Program.  The program focuses on providing learning opportunities for the development of specific subject aptitude, learning ability, creative and productive thinking skills, leadership, and problem solving.  Individual self-evaluations, motivation, decision making, and student responsibility are developed concurrently.  At the elementary school level, students are enrolled in a multi-disciplinary resource class. 

Student identification for placement in the ALPHA-H Program is a three-step process consisting of nomination, screening, and selection.  Nominations may be obtained from any person familiar with the student’s abilities, potential, performance, and/or past records. 

Once a student is nominated, written permission is obtained from a parent or guardian to begin the screening process.  The Screening Committee compiles and processes objective and subjective student data and forwards it to the Selection Committee.  The Selection Committee is comprised of administrators, counselors, and teachers who have been specifically trained for this task.  To be selected for the program, the students should score within the top five to ten percent on three of the five criteria used for the selection.  Also considered is the degree to which the student would benefit from the program.

Since students are screened individually, this process takes several weeks.  This ensures accurateness and thoroughness, with consideration of the student’s needs.  The screening process is completed by the end of the school year.  Newly selected students begin classes in the fall of the following year.

Once a student is enrolled in the ALPHA-H Program, he/she is expected to maintain excellence in academic studies, leadership, motivation, citizenship, and responsibility in regular classes and ALPHA-H classes.  Failure to do so may lead to dismissal from the ALPHA-H Program.

For additional information consult your campus ALPHA-H Coordinator.