Elementary School Program Description

Gifted students in the elementary school grades will be served in a pullout resource room for grades one through five.  The resource room implements integrated units where all subject areas are covered to serve all student's talents and strengths.  Students will attend the gifted program by state regulations for a minimum of five segments a week.

Many of the Georgia Performance Standards will be compacted and taught at an accelerated pace, along with the State Gifted Standards.  Students will develop advanced research strategies and problem solving skills.  They will also enhance their creativity and become more proficient with communication skills. Creativity and logical problem solving will be addressed through Odyssey of the Mind.

The curriculum will incorporate math, reading, science, social studies, art, and technology through thematic units including Sherlock Holmes Global Mystery Unit, Legal Eagles Law Study, The Road to the White House Election Unit, Math Whiz Unit, Beyond Words Literature Unit, Caravans- Geography and Culture Unit and What a Find! Archaeology Unit. Vocabulary is enhanced with a Greek and Latin root word program.  Math needs are addressed through Early Adventures in Algebra and Hands-on Equations. System wide seminars and study trips will also be part of the elementary gifted program.  An annual Academic Quiz Bowl is held every year for all gifted 5th grade students.

Middle School Program Description

Gifted students in the middle school grades will be using an advanced content model in language arts and mathematics for grades six, seven, and eight.  Students will attend their gifted classes five days a week for a 100 minute block.

Students will master the Georgia Performance Standards in language arts and math at an accelerated pace, along with State Gifted Standards.  Students will develop advanced research skills and problem solving skills.  They will also enhance their creativity and become more proficient with communication skills.

The language arts course is integrated with all subject areas to serve all students’ talents and strengths.  The language arts curriculum revolves around interdisciplinary units including Autobiographies, Utopia, Patterns, The 1940’s Decade of Change, Threads of Change in the 19th Century American Literature and Persuasion.  The units are written specifically for gifted learners and were developed at the College of William and Mary’s National Center for Gifted Education. Greek and Latin vocabulary study will be addressed through our STEMS program to prepare students for the SAT and to broaden their vocabulary knowledge. 

The integrated math curriculum includes accelerated and advanced classes with a focus on algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and statistics.  Accelerated Math I- High School Level course is offered in the 8th grade along with Physical Science High School course and a Spanish I course. These classes are for high school elective credit. System-wide seminars and study trips will also be a part of the middle school gifted program. An annual Academic Quiz Bowl is held every year for all gifted 6th-8th grade students.

High School Program Description

Gifted students in the high school grades will be using an advanced content model in the Advanced Placement (AP) and honors program classes.  Students will attend their classes on a block schedule and will be served a minimum of 5 segments per week.

Students will master the Georgia Performance Standards and State Gifted Standards in the subject areas of their gifted classes.  Students will develop advanced research skills and problem solving skills.  They will also enhance their creativity and become more proficient with their communication skills.

Students will also be eligible to participate in areas of interest and strengths in the Academic Decathlon and Enrichment Intersessions.

Gifted students will also be allowed to enroll in an Executive Internship Course their senior year.  System-wide seminars and study trips will also be part of the high school gifted program. Direct Study courses are also available for gifted students.