• Centers for Advanced Study (CAS)

    CAS courses are high-level, enriched and accelerated honors courses that follow the Purdue Three-Stage model and create opportunities for student-led inquiry, deep investigation of interest-based topics, and collaborative long-term projects.  CAS courses are awarded an additional .5 weight to account for the added rigor that is infused into the curriculum.  Gifted students are supported by a school-based CAS facilitator who manages a student's Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP).  Please see below for CAS Facilitator contact information.
     
    The CAS program provides for enriched and specially designed instruction in the following ways:
    • An inquiry/problem solving approach to learning
    • Advanced media and computer technology support
    • Independent studies
    • Long-Term Projects supported by teacher, community and/or university mentors
    • Program facilitator(s) at each site

     

    The Gifted and Talented Model

    The Centers for Advanced Studies (CAS) program includes enriched and accelerated courses for gifted and academically talented students. The CAS enriched core curricula include two- four-year sequences in English, Mathematics, Science, and World Languages. Access to accelerated courses begin freshmen year with AP offered all four years for the Social Studies courses. 

    The CAS application process will open Monday, December 5, 2022 and close Friday, February 3, 2023. Please encourage your student to: 

    • maintain a “B” or higher in all core subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language) 
    • maintain an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher 
    • maintain 90% or higher attendance engage and participate in class 
     

  • CAS Virtual Parent Night

    Please join our CAS Virtual Parent Night to learn more about CAS courses. The Gifted and Talented Office will discuss the CAS process for PPS students and non-PPS students. Also, you will hear from current CAS students. The CAS Virtual Parent Night will be held on Tuesday, January 18th at 6:00 pm. You can register for the virtual event here.  Please review the recorded if you were not able to attend. 

     

    PPS CAS Course Enrollment Process 

    PPS students no longer will submit a CAS application.  PPS 8th and 9th grade students with a GPA of at least 2.75 and 85% attendance will receive a CAS letter. Only PPS students with a GPA of 2.75 – 2.99 must submit a teacher recommendation. Standardized test scores will not be included in the process. 

    PPS 8th grade eligible CAS students (3.0 GPA, 90% attendance, and core courses with at least a "B") will be automatically enrolled in the CAS courses. These courses will be listed in the CAS eligibility letter. To enroll in a CAS math course the student must currently be enrolled in at least Algebra I.  Parents/Guardians can opt their student out of a specific CAS course or all CAS courses by contacting their student’s counselor/social-worker by March 11, 2022.   

    PPS students in high school who meet the CAS criteria will schedule CAS courses of interest during their course scheduling period. The student will select the CAS course(s) of interest in the subject area(s) the student meets the academic requirement of having at least a "B" in the course. 

     

    Non-PPS Student CAS Course Enrollment Process 

    Non-PPS students must complete the CAS application and submit teacher recommendations for the subject area(s) the student has an interest to take a CAS course. Standardized test scores will not be included in the process. The deadline to submit the CAS application and teacher recommendations is Friday, February 4, 2022. The link for the CAS application and teacher recommendations will become available Monday, December 6, 2021. Non-PPS familes will receive their CAS letter of eligibility the week of March 14, 2022.

  • CAS Facilitator Contact Information

     

    Facilitator 

    School 

      

    Facilitator 

    School 

    Steven Meddings 

    Allderdice High School 

    Mallory Brown 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Cortney Fischer 

    Allderdice High School 

    Valerie Watson 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Karima Zayyoung 

    Allderdice High School 

    Camden Kelly 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Melissa Donnelly 

    Allderdice High School 

    Joanne Valco 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Sarah Mueller 

    Allderdice High School 

    Rachel Vandergraft 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Mariah Diehl 

    Allderdice High School 

    Brent Watson 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Jennifer Felton 

    Allderdice High School 

    Valerie Watson 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Helen Monroe 

    Allderdice High School 

    Charla Southers  

    CAPA 6-12 

    Mark Matson 

    Allderdice High School 

    Gary McGrail 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Angela Lindenfelser 

    Allderdice High School 

    Brendan Coyne 

    CAPA 6-12 

    Jennifer Mozzoco 

    Allderdice High School 

    Carrie Brueckner 

    Obama Academy 

    Janelle Price 

    Allderdice High School 

    Rachel Whealdon 

    Obama Academy 

    Amanda McClelland 

    Allderdice High School 

    Michael Chapman 

    Obama Academy 

    Heather Meyers 

    Allderdice High School 

    Renee Mutunga 

    Obama Academy 

    Sara Herrmann 

    Allderdice High School 

    Gregory Silvestri 

    Obama Academy 

    Michael Carey 

    Allderdice High School 

    Julie Kupec 

    SciTech 

    Troy Taylor 

    Allderdice High School 

    Britni Hoffman 

    SciTech 

    Angela Lindenfelser 

    Allderdice High School 

    Henry Lancet 

    SciTech 

    Christopher Kipp 

    Brashear High School 

    Heidi Simpson 

    SciTech 

    Nicole Rendine 

    Brashear High School 

    Oscar Huber 

    SciTech 

    Regan Cupps 

    Brashear High School 

    Chris Sparacino 

    SciTech 

    Amber Marchewka 

    Carrick High School 

    Wendi Moore 

    SciTech 

    Susan Longley 

    University-Prep 6-12 

    Brian Rose 

    SciTech 

    Marc Stern 

    Westinghouse 6-12 

    Shelbie Nocera 

    SciTech 

    Jennifer Grus 

    Perry High School 

    John Antonucci 

    SciTech 

    Rozann Dinuzzo 

    Pittsburgh Online Academy 

    Patricia Barbas 

    SciTech 

     

     

    Stephanie Thueret 

    SciTech 

    Due to specialized programming, Sci-Tech does not offer CAS courses. 
    However, please contact Oscar Huber (9-12) or Shelbie Nocera (6-8) for information pertaining to Gifted programming.