Gifted and Talented
We understand gifted learners
Gifted and talented children have outstanding abilities, perform at remarkably high levels, and have very unique needs. Our teachers understand gifted learners and have worked to develop specialized learning opportunities to challenge and engage them every step of the way.
We work closely with students, teachers and families to identify gifted and talented learners and match them with the most appropriate learning environment - from classroom clusters to accelerated learning opportunities.
Contact
Scott Sirek
Talent Development Lead
sireks@stillwaterschools.org
651-351-6981
Gifted Programming
Elementary
The CogAT assessment is given to all third grade students as one way to determine eligibility for gifted programming. While this test can be used to identify gifted and talented students, more importantly, it is also used to identify strengths of all students that are not always revealed with achievement tests.
Gifted Clusters
Gifted clusters can be found in every elementary school in the district in grades 4 and 5. Cluster grouping is the practice of placing intellectually gifted students together in the same classroom with a teacher who has received additional training in working with gifted students. Cluster classrooms have the same number of students as all other classes and include not only gifted students, but also students with a broad range of abilities. The idea of clustering is to allow high achieving students to learn with peers of all abilities, while also being able to group together for more challenging lessons. Cluster students do not necessarily use a different curriculum than the rest of the class. They are given more opportunities to go more in-depth with the curriculum.
Though testing for gifted programming doesn't happen until third grade, our high achieving students in grades K-3 also receive differentiated lessons from teachers as they see a need for more rigorous work in the classroom.
GATE (Gifted & Talented Education) Program
The GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Program serves a small, very unique group of highly gifted learners in fourth and fifth grade. GATE classrooms are located in Stillwater Middle School but serve students from across the district through alternate enrollment. GATE support continues in grades 6-8 in core content areas.
GATE provides students with a challenging instructional program which meets and exceeds the district’s academic standards. Differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction with an emphasis on higher level thinking skills is utilized to meet the needs of advanced learners.
Important dates:
- January 9, 2023 GATE Parent Information Meeting (SMS 4:45-5:45 p.m.)
- January 10, 2023 GATE Student Classroom Visit (SMS 9:15-10:30 a.m)
- January 13, 20223 GATE Acceptance Form Due
GATE Enrollment Process
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GATE acceptance forms are available to families who have been invited to the program.
Middle School
The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program for fourth and fifth grade students expands into middle school. Sixth through eighth graders enrolled in GATE at Stillwater Middle School are clustered together in teams, and are intermixed with the rest of the middle school. Specialized GATE classes in math, science, language arts, and social studies are available.
Middle school students also have options to explore honors and accelerated courses in English, science and mathematics.
High School
Our comprehensive high school program is designed to meet the advanced learning needs of gifted and talented students. Developing a class schedule to appropriately challenge a student and prepare the student for future educational goals requires careful planning. Our academic counselors are available to help students and families create an academic pathway for the high school years and beyond.
Optional acceleration opportunities include:
Credit by Assessment
Opportunity for students to test out of some required courses.
Independent Study Projects
Opportunity for students to design a study project in an academic area of Interest.
Articulated College Credit (ACC)
Students take a course offered by a partnering technical or community college course that is taught right here at the high school, and may be able to earn credit recognized by that institution.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who successfully complete these college-level courses taught at SAHS, and pass an AP exam, may be able to earn college credit at participating institutions.
Concurrent Enrollment (CE) and College in the Schools (CIS)
Students take a course offered by a partnering college or university that is taught right here at SAHS. Students who successfully complete the course may earn credit that is recognized by many institutions across the country.
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)
Students in grades 10-12 may enroll in courses offered on college campuses or online and can earn both high school and college credit.
Eligibility
Stillwater Area Public Schools has adopted research-based best-practice assessments to determine which students need specialized instructional services and programs to meet their full potential. Assessment procedures are specific to the student’s age and grade level and may include but not be limited to:
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Cognitive (general intellectual) Ability tests
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Achievement tests
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Teacher recommendation/input
Classroom performance, all assessment information, and additional data is reviewed by a building/district identification team to determine whether or not the student is in need of specialized services and/or programs.
Testing accommodations will be considered only for students on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan.
Not currently enrolled in our schools?
Families of non-enrolled students who are interested in the GATE program need to submit reports of both ability and achievement tests. Stillwater Area Public Schools require scores from published, standardized tests administered by a qualified individual or educational institution.
Required Assessment Data:
- Ability Test Scores - Examples of acceptable ability tests include: Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-V), Stanford-Binet V.
- Achievement Test Scores - Examples of acceptable achievement tests include: NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP), FastBridge, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, or any other nationally normed achievement test reporting mathematics and reading percentiles within the last 18 months.
Students currently enrolled in Stillwater Area Public Schools receive placement priority. Qualifying non-enrolled students will be invited to enroll for the following year in the GATE program after February 1st as space allows. Please email documentation to Scott Sirek, Talent Development Lead, at sireks@stillwaterschools.org