Advanced Learners

D.C. Everest Advanced Learner/Challenge Program

D.C. Everest is home to the only Advanced Learner/Challenge Program for elementary students in this region.

Contacts

Jessica Krautkramer- Administrative Assistant

About the Advanced Learner Program

D.C. Everest is proud to host the DCE Challenge Program for advanced learners in grades 2 - 5. Students selected for the program attend Riverside Elementary, where they participate in an accelerated and differentiated curriculum where instruction focuses on higher level cognitive skills, problem solving, logic, and creativity. Students qualifying for placement in the program need to acquire academic knowledge quickly, apply knowledge in creative and productive ways, and demonstrate a strong desire to learn.

The district has established an Advanced Learning Committee in order to A) better identify students who would benefit from advanced academic opportunities; and B) expand advanced learning opportunities. As part of that process, the District implemented a new advanced learner screening process to ensure we identify students with demonstrated levels of academic competence and those who exhibit the potential for high levels of competence but may be underperforming for their ability level. By screening for both demonstrated competence and high levels of potential, we hope to better identify students who may benefit from a more challenging academic option.

Timeline for the 2026-2027 School Year

January 5 – January 30, 2026

Nomination Period Opens

For students currently in grades 1–4.

Monday, January 26, 2026

Informational Meeting for Parents

5:00 PM at Riverside IMC
Virtual option available via WebEx.

WebEx Details:

Meeting Number: 2494 252 6852

Password: BdkcNucp368

Friday, February 27, 2026

Nomination Forms Due

All nomination and parent inventory forms must be submitted to the school office.

February 27 – March 20, 2026

Screening Period

Student screening will take place after nominations are received.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Parent Notification

Screening results will be shared with parents.

Monday, April 13, 2026

Informational Meeting for Parents of Accepted Students

5:00 PM at Riverside IMC
Virtual option available via WebEx.

WebEx Details:

Meeting Number: 2497 780 6432

Password: aRaavPp4P47

Monday, April 20, 2026

Placement Acceptance Deadline

Parents must notify the school via email if their child will participate in the program.

Advanced Learner Nomination Information

A Letter from Principal Kampmann

Dear Parents and Teachers,

We are pleased to announce that the nomination period for the D.C. Everest District’s Advanced Learner/Challenge Magnet Program will open on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Parents and teachers are encouraged to nominate students currently in grades 1 through 4 who have demonstrated advanced academic capabilities.

The Challenge Magnet Program is housed at Riverside Elementary and serves selected students in grades 2 through 5. This program features an accelerated and differentiated curriculum designed to nurture high-level cognitive skills, problem solving, logic, and creativity. Students considered for placement in the program should:

Acquire academic knowledge quickly
Apply knowledge in creative and productive ways
Demonstrate a strong desire to learn

Nominating your child is the first step in this process. A list of traits common to intellectually advanced students is available to assist you in making your decision. If, after reviewing this information, you would like your child(ren) to be considered, please complete and return the nomination and parent inventory forms to your school office by Friday, February 27, 2026.

If you would like additional information to help with your decision, an informational meeting will be held on:

Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Riverside Elementary School – IMC
Address: 166543 River Road, Ringle
Virtual Option: WebEx link available for remote attendance

This meeting will include a program overview, an explanation of the screening and testing process, and an opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have.

We look forward to partnering with you to support the success of our advanced learners.

Sincerely,

Kevin Kampmann, Principal
Riverside Elementary School
715.359.2417

Nomination Information

Traits of Students that Might be an Advanced Learner

Shows sustained interest in things; usually completes activities/projects
Displays a great curiosity about objects, situations, or events. Has the capacity to look into things and be puzzled; gets involved with many exploratory-type activities; has a wide range of interests
Is a self-initiated student, usually needing little help in knowing what to do; starts on his own; pursues individual interests and seeks own direction
Exhibits originality in oral and written expression. Consistently gives unusual, clever, unique responses and ideas away from the cliché or stereotype
Has unusual talent to express him or herself in arts; i.e. music, dance, drama, drawing, play activities, and/or artistic expression
Has the ability to generate many alternatives. Seeks many directions and is flexible in thinking by going at right angles to the main stream of thought in the classroom
Is perceptually open to her environment. Uses all senses to be aware of surroundings; keenly observant and alert to things that are done, as well as things that are not done
Displays a willingness for complexity. Thrives on problem situations; selects a more difficult response, solution, or problem over the easier; seeks complex asymmetrical forms compared to symmetrical forms; has a preference of “digging in” to things
Has the capacity to use knowledge and information other than to memorize, store, and recall. Seeks new associations among items of information; combines elements of materials or knowledge in a unique fashion
Shows superior judgment in evaluating things. Reasons things out; seeks logical answers; can see implications and consequences, makes decisions easily
Is a good elaborator. Produces a variety of detailed steps, continually adds on to ideas, responses, or solutions; loves to embellish materials and ideas
Is a good guesser. Is able to hypothesize; is full of wonder about things; is a risk-taker; makes good educated guesses
Learns rapidly, easily, and efficiently • Has the ability to see relationships among unrelated facts, information, or concepts
Uses a lot of common sense; seeks the most practical approach
Retains and uses information which has been heard or read
Uses a large number of words easily and accurately
Asks many questions of a provocative nature; inquisitive about knowing why instead of what; has the capacity to inquire
Stays on task to completion and takes pride in the results.

How Students Get Nominated

In order to be considered for the Challenge Magnet Program, students must be nominated by a teacher or parent/guardian. Parents may nominate their student by completing the forms. The forms are due in February prior to the school year you want to nominate your student for the program. If you need additional information to decide if you should nominate your child(ren), an informational meeting will be held each year.

Next Steps After a Nomination

Timeline of Events

Timeline for the 2025-2026 School Year

Thursday January 2- Friday January 31, 2025
Nomination Period for Students currently in Grades 1-4

Monday, January 27, 2025
Informational Meeting for Parents:

5:30 pm Riverside IMC.
WebEx option also available for parents
- Join by meeting number
- Meeting number (access code): 2499 905 3698
- Meeting password: TusBiFpF453
Friday, January 31, 2025
Nomination forms are due

Once Nomination received-March 14, 2025
Screening Period

Friday, April 4, 2025
Parents are notified with screening results

Monday, April 14, 2025
Informational meeting for parents of all students accepted in the Advanced Learner/Challenge Magnet Program:
5:00 pm Riverside IMC.
WebEx option also available for parents:
- Join by meeting number
- Meeting number (access code): 2496 959 8450
- Meeting password: mNPh8Pp4ku7
Monday, April 21, 2025
Deadline for parents to notify the principal and Administrative Assistant by e-mail for those students accepting placement into the Advanced Learner/Challenge Magnet Program.

Advanced Learner Nomination Form

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