Think Lab and Accelerated Math
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Accelerated Math
Students in first through sixth grades with the appropriate skills have the option to pursue an accelerated math program. Math classes are taught at the same time in 1st-6th grades so that each student can attend a math class at the grade level appropriate to their skills. Previous students graduating from Pacific's Accelerated Math Program have placed in Mission Hill's Accelerated Math Program at 8th and 9th grade levels (which can lead into Santa Cruz High School's Math Academy Program). Grade leveled math skills are described in this document: Math Goals. After reviewing these goals, if you believe your student would be appropriate for the accelerated math program, speak with the teacher. Think Lab
Think Lab is a pull-out enrichment program designed to ensure that students remain engaged and challenged during their time at Pacific School. When the state discontinued funding for GATE (gifted and talented education), Pacific School was one of few schools in the area who maintained the program, now called Think Lab. Think Lab serves students in fourth through sixth grade. Students are selected by the staff based on a combination of factors including:
Participating students engage in a weekly class covering topics not normally covered in the elementary school curriculum, such as reasoning, logic, electronics, economics, personal finance, advanced science or math topics, or other topics of interest to the students. Classes are small and focused on keeping students challenged and engaged, with multiple opportunities to discuss and engage in rich, complex ideas with like-minded peers. Think Lab Curriculum
In 2026-27, our focus for all grades is reasoning and critical thinking. We will learn to dissect arguments, see where they are strong and where they are weak, understand different types of reasoning, recognize common reasoning fallacies and cognitive biases, practice listening effectively even to ideas we disagree with, and understand how to responsibly influence others and how others attempt to influence us. In future years we will explore other topics. The experiences will be hands-on with lots of opportunities for both individual and group work. We will have fun. We will work hard and think hard. Everyone will get to make mistakes and struggle at times, because that’s what a classroom looks like when every student is being challenged at their growth edge. My job is to keep the whole class, including myself, challenged, engaged, learning, and having fun. I can’t wait to get started! 
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Elizabeth Andrews, Think Lab Instructor
Think Lab Instructor
Think Lab is instructed by Elizabeth Andrews, whose main role at Pacific School is the District Office Manager. Elizabeth has been a teacher, specifically focused on advanced and gifted students, for over 25 years. Among other experiences, she worked for 18 summers for Johns Hopkins’ Center for Talented Youth (CTY), where she wrote the curriculum for two of their intensive summer classes, was asked to teach internationally in three different locations, and twice hosted international guest teachers to shadow her classes. In addition, she taught classes for IS and homeschool students, at Pacific School, AFE, and privately for many years. Elizabeth's Instructional Philosophy Elizabeth believes in creating rich, challenging academic environments in which students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and feel empowered to make mistakes and struggle. In all of her classes she strives to support students in tackling complex problems with creativity and the willingness to think outside the box and consider many different perspectives, even those that they initially disagree with. 
Coding a 'fruit keyboard' using micro:bits.
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