APAAS (Alternative Program for Academically Advanced Students) is the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) program for academically advanced students. Selection takes place in grades 2 and 3. EDUBUS prepares students in two stages: a grade 2 foundations class that builds ability, and a grade 3 sprint that prepares for each assessment area in turn.
The Two Stages of APAAS Prep
- APAAS Foundations (G2): math and logic, reading, and writing, three subjects that begin full preparation from grade 2. Students can enroll in a single subject. The course runs 35 weeks.
- APAAS Grade 3 Sprint (G3): 75 lessons across three subjects, a complete sprint covering all four areas of the APAAS gifted program assessment. The course runs 25 weeks.
Why APAAS Prep Starts in Grade 2
The assessment covers four areas: reading, math, creative writing, and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT). Three of the four measure ability built over a long period, not question types that can be drilled in a short time. Students who start preparing only in grade 3 usually run short of time in reading comprehension and writing. A full year in grade 2 to raise these three abilities is what makes the grade 3 sprint effective.
Note that APAAS results do not decide a student’s later math acceleration path. The district’s math acceleration begins in grade 7, and placement is based on grade 6 grades, the end-of-course (EOC) exam, and a foundational skills test. APAAS and math placement are two separate systems. See The IUSD Secondary Mathematics Pathway, Explained and the IUSD Math Acceleration Path.
How Each Stage of APAAS Prep Is Taught
The foundations class schedules the three subjects separately, so families can start with the weakest one. Classes focus on building ability. Reading progresses by standardized level, math focuses on reading multi-step word problems carefully and solving them in order, and writing moves from paragraphs to complete compositions.
The sprint reorganizes the work around the four assessment areas, with 75 lessons across three subjects. At this stage the focus shifts from building ability to adapting to the assessment format: question types, time limits, and scoring standards. The NNAT portion is trained separately by question type.
APAAS Summer Options and Further Reading
In summer, the APAAS Summer Sprint serves students moving from grade 2 to grade 3. It is a full-day program, each session is about four weeks, and it includes one STAR test per week. Program background, the difference between GATE and APAAS, and the selection process are covered in A guide to Irvine’s GATE and APAAS programs.
How to Start APAAS Prep at EDUBUS
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
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Contact a course advisorAPAAS Prep G2–G3: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Irvine's GATE and APAAS?
They are two parts of what Irvine Unified School District offers advanced learners. GATE stands for Gifted and Talented Education; APAAS is the Alternative Program for Academically Advanced Students. Our guide to Irvine's GATE and APAAS programs explains what each one involves.
Should Irvine families start preparing in second grade?
Second grade is where this track begins. The foundations class runs 35 weeks in three subjects, math and logic, reading, and writing, and can be taken one subject at a time. The aim is to build the underlying skills before selection, leaving third grade for the assessment itself.
How long is the grade 3 sprint?
Seventy-five lessons across three subjects over 25 weeks, covering all four APAAS assessment areas. Compared with the grade 2 foundations class, the sprint shifts from building general skills to working through the assessed content area by area. Families usually take it during the third grade year, after the foundations class.
Can we enroll in only one subject?
In the grade 2 foundations class, yes. Math and logic, reading, and writing are each open for separate enrollment, so a family can start with the weakest area. The grade 3 sprint is planned as a single 75-lesson program across the three subjects.
Is there a summer option for Irvine families?
Yes, the APAAS summer sprint for rising third graders, running full day for about four weeks per session. Families often use the summer for concentrated work across the four assessed areas and then continue into the school-year course without a gap.
