Traditional Academic Program

Academic Program
The Traditional Academic Program (TAP) at Hamilton is the neighborhood school and accounts for 51% of the students at Hamilton.  The TAP teams serve a population that is economically, culturally, and academically diverse.  Students are heterogeneously grouped for classes.  This maximizes the learning experience for all students and promotes an atmosphere in which students learn to work cooperatively with others.

Curriculum
Students on the TAP teams receive  varied and challenging curriculum of five core classes and two elective classes.  In addition to the four traditional core classes, students are provided an extra period of Language Arts, which enriches the reading and writing instruction they receive.  The elective courses allow the students to explore their potential in the arts, computers, foreign language, and physical education.

TAP Courses
- Language Arts 1  (Core)
- Language Arts 2  (Core)
- Mathematics  (Core)
- Science (Core)
- Social Studies (Core)
- Elective 1
- Elective 2

Accelerated Reader (AR)
The TAP teams at Hamilton participate in the AR program.  Each student reads books from the school library that are at the appropriate level for that student.  Students complete computerized comprehension tests on each book. Each test is worth a predetermined number of points, and students accumulate points toward a point goal for each grading period.  The program allows teachers to evaluate comprehension, suggest books, and help each student progress to books on the next difficulty level when the student is ready.

Accelerated Math (AM)
Seventh and eighth grade TAP students also participate in the AM program.  This individualized math program allows the students to progress at their own pace and allows the teacher to identifly problem areas and to intervene.  The program aligns with the state standards and provides CSAP-like questions for the students.