Mission Statement:

Hulstrom Options K-8 School has two solid programs. Each program (Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented) is based on the foundation of excellent instruction, rigorous student academics, and accelerated learning for all with a focus on 21st Century skills and methodology. We serve and meet the needs of advanced students, including those identified as gifted and talented, while supporting their unique social-emotional needs in a caring and nurturing environment.

• Core Values: The Hulstrom Options School community recognizes the unique characteristics of each child and believes that:
• Learning is an exciting, life-long, hands-on endeavor at all levels of instruction
• Gifted and Talented (or advance and accelerated) students need a qualitatively and quantitatively different manner of instruction to reach their full potential.
• All learners excel when they are rigorously challenged to master basic skills while developing critical thinking and problem solving skills which are critical for future success.
• The development of good character and community stewardship is essential to develop local, national, and global citizenship in our students.
• Responsibility, effective oral and written communication, and independence are crucial for success
• Students must obtain the skills to effectively use technology as a tool in the classroom, be able to access and analyze information while understanding the intellectual rights of others.
• Curiosity and imagination are fostered through a variety of classroom and extended learning activities.
• Leadership is a crucial skill in a global community and opportunities for leadership in our school, community, and state are fostered and developed for the benefit of students.

Students need a qualitatively and quantitatively different manner of instruction to reach their full potential.  

 Students will be engaged in learning because their unique learning styles and needs will be supported in different formats withing the instructional arc. Students may have existing knowledge and capabilities that we can support in differentiated instruction. Often, students will access prior knowledge to extend their learning to study a concept in a deeper manner.

Critical thinking and problem solving skills  

Students will be able to entertain multiple perspectives while defending, defining, and analyzing their purpose and context. Students will engage in higher level thinking and questioning activities to develop their skills for application both inside and outside of the classroom. Students will develop innovative questions and solutions to real-world situations.

The development of good character and community stewardship

Students will comtribute to productive and collaborative projects for the benefit of their school and community. They will have collaborative and productive interactions with community members and adults which reflect individual and group norms.(morals)

Develop national, and global citizenship in our students 

Using learning to develop teamwork and collaboration skills while helping our students to become open minded, caring and genuine. Our students will be risk-takers who will apply what they learn to the local, state, national, and global setting.

Develop effective oral and written communication skills

Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively through speech and text using all resources at their disposal. They will be comfortable, confident, and effective communicators, in the realms of written and oral communication based on educational standards.

Effectively use technology as a tool in the classroom

Using a variety of techniques to engage students while taking learning to a new level. Planning for what outcome is desired is an effective way to integrate technology into the classroom and students will walk away with a practical application of what they have learned.

Be able to access and analyze information while understanding the intellectual rights of others

Students can gather information using a wide variety of resources and at the same time understand and be respectful of who created the material.