For Elementary School Students
Beginning in the spring of second grade, students are tested for gifted and talented services. Using the fall Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) scores in math and reading, the top 10% of students are administered further assessments to determine cognitive ability and critical thinking ability. Parents of children who did not score in the top 10% may request their child be further tested by completing the Parent Recommendation and the Permission to Test form.
Note: In April 2011, students in grades three and four will also be tested to identify those who qualify for additional services in math and language arts that will be available next fall.
Students identified for gifted services are clustered into one classroom in third, fourth, and fifth grade. The classroom teachers are specially trained to differentiate instruction and provide a challenging instructional program for students. They are supported by the building's gifted specialist who works collaboratively with them to plan instruction and and provide curriculum and instruction to meet student needs.
Students identified for academically talented services may be place in any one of the 3-4 grade level classrooms. The classroom teachers are specially trained to differentiate instruction and provide a challenging instructional program for students.
Those students identified as gifted or academically talented in math are accelerated in the next higher grade level curriculum. Instruction is provided by one of the grade level classroom teachers or the gifted specialist. The curriculum is aligned to the Illinois State Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards.
Those students identified as gifted or academically talented in reading are provided small group instruction at their reading level. Special emphasis is placed on reading complex age-appropriate texts and completing higher level thinking tasks. The curriculum is aligned to the Illinois State Standards and the National Council of Teachers of English standards.
For Middle School Students
Students identified in elementary school for gifted and talented services are automatically placed in advanced level classes at the middle school. Parents seeking more information about their child’s placement into these classes can contact Lynn Swider at the middle school.
Students identified for participation in Advanced Math will take Pre-Algebra in 6th grade, Algebra I in 7th grade and Intermediate Algebra in 8th grade. The curriculum is aligned to the Illinois State Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards. The critical content for Algebra I and Intermediate Algebra are the same as the high school level course offerings; however high school credit is not given for these classes.
Students identified for participation in Advanced Language Arts classes are provided a curriculum that is academically rigorous and includes compacting grade-level concepts as well as providing enrichment and acceleration. A special emphasis is placed on critical and creative thinking. The curriculum is aligned to the Illinois State Standards and the National Council of Teachers of English standards.
For High School Students
Many high school courses are appropriate for academically talented and gifted students, including Honors Level, Advanced Placement, and Dual Credit courses. Dual Credit courses earn students high school credit and college credit through Waubonsee Community College. Placement for these courses is based on criteria established by the high school. Please refer to the high school course catalog and Guidance Offices for more information on these programs and placement guidelines.
Advanced Placement courses offered at the high school include:
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Literature & Composition
- AP Government and Politics
- AP U.S. History
- AP Psychology
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Chemistry
- AP Biology
Dual Credit courses offered at the high school include:
- Advanced Composition
- Advanced Speech
- Psychology
