The Schoolwide Enrichment Model at Saint John's School is based on the model developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli more than 35 years ago; it is widely implemented at schools interested in high-end learning and in developing the strengths and talents of all students.  The major goal of the SEM is the application of gifted education pedagogy to total school improvement. The SEM provides enriched learning experiences and higher learning standards for all children through three goals: developing talents in all children, providing a broad range of advanced-level enrichment experiences for all students, and providing advanced follow-up opportunities for young people based on their strengths and interests.  The SEM focuses on enrichment for all students through high levels of engagement and the use of enjoyable and challenging learning experiences that are constructed around students' interests, learning styles, and preferred modes of expression.


Enrichment Clusters

 Enrichment Clusters engage students and facilitators in interest-based, student driven, real-world learning experiences. Grouped by interests, students work like practicing professionals applying advanced content and methods to develop products and services for authentic audiences. The Clusters are a component of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model Developed by Dr. Joseph Renzulli, professor at the University of Connecticut.
 
 

Major Features of Enrichment Clusters

  • All activity is directed toward the production of a product or service.
  • Teachers and students select the clusters in which they will participate.
  • Students are group by grade levels (3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade) by interest areas.
  • There are no predetermined lesson or unit plans.
  • The authentic methods of professional investigators are used to pursue products and service development.
  • Specially designated time blocks are set aside for clusters. Clusters meet twice per cycle.
  • Goals of Enrichment Clusters
  • Provide students with opportunities, resources and encouragement to apply their interests, knowledge, thinking skills, creative ideas, and task commitment to self-selected problems or areas of study.
  • Acquire advanced-level understanding of knowledge and methodology used within particular disciplines or artistic areas of expression.
  • Develop authentic products, performances, or services that are directed primarily toward bringing about a desired impact on one or more specified
 
 

Goals of Enrichment Clusters

  •  Provide students with opportunities, resources and encouragement to apply their interests, knowledge, thinking skills, creative ideas, and task commitment to self-selected problems or areas of study.
  • Acquire advanced-level understanding of knowledge and methodology used within particular disciplines or artistic areas of expression.
  • Develop authentic products, performances, or services that are directed primarily toward bringing about a desired impact on one or more specified audiences.
  • Develop self-directed learning skills in the areas of planning, problem finding and focusing, organizational skills, resource utilization, time management, cooperativeness, decision making and self-evaluating.
  • Develop task commitment, self-confidence, feelings of creative accomplishment, and the ability to interact effectively with other students and adults who share common goals and interests.
    • SEM Videos

    • SEM Videos

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Saint John’s School

Saint John’s School is a non-profit, college preparatory, nonsectarian, coeducational day school founded in 1915. The school, located in a residential area of Condado, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has an enrollment of over 800 students from pre pre-kinder to grade twelve. Instruction is mostly in English with the exception of language courses.