The Multi-Age Cluster Class or Middle Age Cluster Class (abbreviated MACC) is a gifted education program based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The MACC program has extended to several more schools located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, namely; Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. It is designed to enrich the regular school curriculum for students in Grades 4 to 7, and continues into Grade 8 in Coquitlam. The program opened its doors in 1994, one year after University Hill Secondary School's much-heralded University Transition Program for accelerated learners. Surrey began offering the MACC program in 2003.
The admission process for MACC involves several steps, where a child's suitability in the program is evaluated. A student is referred by their home school, challenge-class teacher, gifted case manager, or parent for consideration for admission. Students are given a cognitive test which gives the selection committee a deeper understanding of a student's intellectual abilities. After that, students who are seen as potential, gifted candidates are invited to spend one or two days in the classroom at the school they would potentially attend. Offers of admission are sometimes contingent on this final step. The MACC program, despite its various permutations, universally emphasizes the creation of lifelong, autonomous learners who seek knowledge in an active and dynamic learning environment clustered with other high-ability learners. In addition, many MACC graduates have gone on to national and international success, including Brian Wong, twice nominated as a member of Top 30 Under 30.
Teachers are chosen based on experience, ideally with course-work, training and/or experience working with high-ability learners. Many teachers have received national recognition for their accomplishments while working in MACC. Most notably, the former Tecumseh MACC teacher, Ms. Marie Chomyn, received the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2012,. In 2013, former MACC teachers Ms. Graeme Cotton and Ms. Romy Cooper received the 2013 Governor General Award for their contributions to the teaching of issues related to national heritage. The current MACC teachers in Vancouver are Ms. Roberts/Coit, Ms. Tayler, Mr. Webb, and Madame Peddle.
referenceEver curious about what that abbreviation stands for? fullforms has got them all listed out for you to explore. Simply,Choose a subject/topic and get started on a self-paced learning journey in a world of fullforms.
Allow To Receive Free Coins Credit 🪙