Lowell’s GATE Description
San Francisco Unified School District
Gifted and Talented Education Program
2009-2010
LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL
1101 Eucalyptus Drive
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 759-2730
Principal:Andrew Ishibashi
GATE Coordinator:Bryan Marten
Founded in 1856, LOWELL has received state and national recognition as an institution of excellence sustained by collaboration among all constituent groups in the school community. Some distinctions include the following:
California Distinguished School: 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2001, 2005, 2009
National Blue Ribbon School: 1982-1983, 1994-1996, 2001-2002
Received the National Scholastic Press Association’s award for producing one of the top 10 best student newspapers in the U.S. from 1996-2005
The majority of students complete requirements that meet the University of California admissions standards. The school offers an extensive and rigorous curriculum that includes many Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses as well as core and elective courses that prepare students for college and future career opportunities. A large variety of community service projects and extra-curricular/athletic activities also serve to enrich student life at Lowell as students develop into lifelong learners and productive citizens. Student support services are available through counselors, the VICCI Center, Wellness Center, and Peer Resources Program.
Lowell remains the largest feeder school to the University of California (UC) with approximately 50.2% of its 2005 graduates attending a UC campus. Lowell consistently ranks 2nd or 3rd among all public high schools in California’s Academic Performance Index (API). In 2008, Lowell achieved its highest score of 950 since the API came out in 1999.
In 2009, Lowell ranked 3rd nationally in the number of Advanced Placement (AP) examinations scoring a “3” (passing) or higher administered among over 16,000 high schools with AP programs. In 2009, students took 3,306 AP exams with 85% achieving a score of 3 or higher (on a 1-5 scale).
Since nearly 50% of Lowell students are GATE identified, it is assumed that all teachers have GATE students in their classes. However, students must meet prerequisites before scheduling the courses below.
LOWELL HONORS, ADVANCED, AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES
English
9th Grade Honors (2nd semester)
10th Grade Honors
11th or 12th Grade
English, Language and Composition AP
12th Grade
English, Literature and Composition AP
Mathematics
Geometry Honors
Accelerated Math Honors
Pre-calculus Honors
Calculus AB AP
Calculus BC AP
Computer Science AP
Statistics AP
Social Sciences
European History AP
World History AP
U.S. History Honors
U.S. History AP
Psychology AP
Comparative Government AP
Micro Economics AP
Macro Economics AP
U.S. Government AP
Physical Education
Advanced classes in grades 11 and 12
Aerobics
Badminton
Basketball
Swimming
Tennis
Weight Training
World Languages
Chinese Honors
Chinese Language & Culture AP
French Honors
French Language AP
Hebrew Language 4th Year
Italian Honors
Italian 4th Year Honors
Japanese Honors
Japanese Language & Culture AP
Korean 4th Year
Spanish Honors
Spanish Language AP
Science
Biology AP
Chemistry Honors
Chemistry AP
Environmental Science AP
Physics Honors
Physics B AP
Physics C AP
Visual and Performing Arts
Art Advanced
Art History AP
Art in Architecture Advanced
Band Advanced
Ceramics Advanced
Dance Advanced
Drama Advanced
Jazz Band
Music Theory AP
Orchestra Advanced
Photography Advanced
Studio Art AP
Symphonic Band
Symphony Orchestra
Theater Tech Advanced
Vocal Music Advanced
LOWELL ENRICHMENT AND SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMS
Students not only excel in academics, but they have a rich and varied life at Lowell. With our “modular” and “self-scheduling” system, they exercise some individual choice in the selection of their schedules, in allocating study time, and in participating in a broad range of activities, clubs, and sports. Some organizations include:
California Scholarship Federation
Students who have achieved high grades in various subjects offer tutoring services to fellow students.
Academic Decathlon
The Academic Decathlon is a local, state, and national competition that tests each competitor and each team in literature, art, music, economics, history, math, and science.
Shield and Scroll
This Honor Service Society consists of juniors and seniors who have compiled superior records of scholarship, citizenship, and service.
Forensics
The purpose of forensics is to develop reasoning skills, but more importantly, to learn effective persuasive speaking. Competition falls within two general categories: debate and individual event.
Lowell Student Government
Consists of the Lowell Student Association (LSA), which is the governing body and the Student Body Council (SBC), which is responsible for organizing dances, coordinating events, and representing Lowell within the community.
LOWELL PARENTS
Lowell has a very active and involved parent community. A few of their activities include:
Parent Teacher Student Association
Volunteer parents who organize fundraising events, special dinners for staff, and address concerns of the school.
Volunteers In College Career Information Center (VICCI)
College Resource Center organized by Parent Volunteers to assist students in college and scholarship searches.
School Site Council (SSC)
Elected parent representatives that serve on the SSC vote on a wide variety of matters including school budgeting.
LOWELL ALUMNI
Lowell has a very active alumni association dedicated to helping ensure Lowell students’ success through extensive fundraising, organizing special events, and participating in the School Site Council’s decision-making process. Its members include a recent Nobel Prize winner and a sitting Supreme Court Justice. In 2006, the Lowell Alumni Association was instrumental in organizing a series of special events to celebrate the school’s 150th year of existence.
