Multi Age Cluster Class


The Multi-Age Cluster Class or Middle Age Cluster Class is a gifted-education program based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The MACC program has extended to several more schools located in the Metro [Vancouver Regional District|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. 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 selection process for MACC involves several steps, where a child's suitability in the program is evaluated. A student is referred by their home school, teacher, gifted case manager, or parent for consideration for admission. Students are given a cognitive test. 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 attend. Many MACC graduates have gone on to national and international success.

Vancouver Multi-Age Cluster Class

Currently, there are 3 schools hosting the MACC program in Vancouver. They are all administered by the Vancouver School Board.
There were previous incarnations of MACC at Lord Nelson Elementary School, Queen Mary Elementary School, and David Livingstone Elementary School, but the program has shrunk slightly and relocated to its current base schools over the years due to a combination of VSB funding cuts, seismic upgrades, and perceived population shifts. A high school MACC program previously existed at Kitsilano Secondary School, though in the concept has evolved into the 'Mini-School', of which most MACC graduates attend.

Surrey Multi-Age Cluster Class

Surrey has four MACC-equipped schools—Berkshire Park Elementary School, Hyland Elementary School, Erma Stephenson Elementary School, and Chantrell Creek Elementary School. The maximum number of students in each class is 20, with gender mix being relatively balanced.
Aspiring MACC students may apply in Grades 4, 5, or 6 to gain admission to the following grade. Applicants must be referred by their teachers and undergo a screening process.
Each Surrey MACC class features an Independent Math program, where students study mathematics with the aid of a textbook at their own pace - meaning there is typically no formal math instruction. Students learn via textbook until Grade 9, when some choose to pursue higher-level courses through SAIL.
Another unique aspect of the Surrey MACC programs are PIPs, or Personal Interest Projects. These long-term projects allow students to explore a topic of individual passion and share their learning through a presentation - typically a PowerPoint, although other forms of creative expression are highly encouraged. In the Chantrell MACC program, pupils present two PIPs each year: one during Term 2 and the other during Term 3. Each presentation usually includes Kahoot quizzes to solidify and reinforce the audience's new knowledge.
Surrey is currently in consideration of adding a high school program.

Tri-Cities Multi Age Cluster Class

The Tri-Cities has three MACC equipped schools, namely Citadel Middle School, Hillcrest Middle School, and Kwayhquitlum Middle School.

Burnaby Multi-Age Cluster Class

In 2014, two MACC sites were added in Burnaby at Capitol Hill Elementary School and Suncrest Elementary. Both of these schools have a grade 4/5 and 6/7 class. There is also a Mini-School program located at Alpha Secondary School.