Elementary Programs

Schoolwide Cluster Grouping for Gifted Students in Grades K-6

In the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model, gifted students are clustered into mixed-ability classrooms at each grade level. The cluster teachers have received training in understanding, planning for, and instructing gifted students. In this model, gifted students receive differentiated curriculum and instruction in all content areas on a daily basis.

Classroom compositions are carefully structured with two main goals: 

• To ensure that there is a balance throughout the grade level
• To reduce the learning range found in any given classroom

This system provides opportunities for teachers to more readily respond to the needs of all their students through enrichment, enhancement, and mild acceleration opportunities targeted to develop the following skills through learning in the content areas:

• Logical thinking

• Reasoning skills

• Critical and creative thinking

• Problem-solving 

Gifted students receive instruction that is differentiated in content, process, product, learning environment, and assessment:

• Content – Complex, abstract ideas presented in a variety of disciplines, including interdisciplinary curriculum

• Process – Higher-level thinking through Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Multiple Intelligences

• Products – Alternative methods of demonstrating mastery with a range of complexity

• Learning environment – Student-centered, flexible grouping based on readiness, interests, and abilities

• Assessments – Pre-assessment and testing out-of-grade level curriculum

Cluster teachers receive the following support from the onsite Gifted Specialist and the Gifted Program Mentor:

• With scheduling

• Professional development in gifted education

• Planning and implementation of differentiated curriculum and instruction through monthly Gifted Cluster teacher meetings and during other staff development times.

Students qualify for gifted services via Gifted Cluster by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.

Content Replacement with Gifted Specialists (Grades 4-6)

Students receive content replacement in lieu of the regular grade-level curriculum provided in their homeroom classes, and content enrichment in addition to instruction provided in the homeroom or gifted cluster class. The curriculum in these content areas is accelerated to an appropriately challenging level.

The Content Replacement Program

Gifted Specialists provide content replacement and content enrichment to gifted students in each elementary school for grades 4-6. Students receive enriched, enhanced, and accelerated instruction in mathematics and/or language arts, depending upon their area(s) of identification and needs. 

Curriculum in these content areas is paced and accelerated to an appropriately challenging level. 

In language arts, students:

• Receive instruction through grammar and literature

• Move beyond the regular language arts curriculum using advanced levels of analysis and critical thinking

In math, students:

• Pursue topics such as probability, logic, statistics, algebra, and geometry 

• Participate in mathematical competitions

• Develop advanced problem solving skills

Content Replacement classes may include:

• Accelerated Mathematics with advanced problem-solving instruction

• Michael Clay Thompson’s grammar and vocabulary instruction materials

• Socratic Seminars

• Junior Great Books

• Classic and contemporary literature:  College of William and Mary ELA

• Project-Based Learning (PBL)

• Core knowledge integrated curriculum

• Tasks developed with depth and complexity:  Depth of Knowledge

• Math Olympiad, Continental Math, and Noetic competitions

Students qualify for gifted services via Content Replacement by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.

Content Replacement Curriculum List (PDF)

Comprehensive Gifted Kindergarten

The Comprehensive Gifted Kindergarten program is designed for high-achieving, highly and profoundly gifted students for whom advanced content is needed. Students work beyond grade level with intellectual peers and are taught by teachers who are Early Childhood Certified and hold a Gifted Endorsement, or are working towards a Gifted Endorsement.

Students in this specialized kindergarten also participate in the school’s special areas and are included in all grade-level activities and field trips.

• Accelerated curriculum
• Shared inquiry/Socratic questioning
• Problem-based learning
• Elements of reasoning
• Technology integration
• Emphasis on critical and creative thinking
• Individualization
• Core content/enrichment

Application Criteria for Gifted Kindergarten:

Applicants must meet one of the two following criteria.

• Gifted qualification at 97 percentile or higher in one of these areas: verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative.
• IQ of 128 or higher.

Transportation is not provided for those who are Open Enrolled. Placement of special education students into Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms is contingent upon availability of special education services at the selected site.

Comprehensive Gifted Curriculum List (PDF)

Comprehensive Gifted Classrooms Grades 1-6

Comprehensive Gifted Curriculum List (PDF)