Gifted & Talented

This course will provide a great environment for students to practice creativity, work on projects based on interests and passions and receive support for all academic classes. This class will also focus on the affective needs of many of the gifted learners throughout the different spectrums.

The most important goals for Level 1 students are becoming comfortable with the Autonomous Learner Model, getting their needs met to thrive in high school, and succeeding academically in the most foundationally important year of their high school career.

Level 2 students have more ability to explore areas of passion and interest than in Level 1. Students will continue to focus on academic rigor but also will guide themselves on many of their projects. Leadership is emphasized; students have a voice in center decisions and day-to-day activities. They will have the opportunity to work on planning committees for our two major events: the Fall Retreat and the Spring GT Night.

The goal for this level is for students to become fully autonomous, stronger leaders who can seek, assemble and present information to their highest ability.

All students can work on projects at their own level, including those of the previous levels. However, if they choose to take part in Level 3 activities, they will be guided toward considering their futures. This includes a book study, “College Planning for Gifted Students,” focused on college preparation for gifted students. We also begin our two-year-long book study of “Adulting” to support asynchronous students who may be strong academically but need more support preparing for the adult world.

This level also includes choice projects built on individual passions. However, students have the choice to focus their projects on future plans.

Level 4 implements the Autonomous Learner Model at its highest level, where students operate as self-directed learners with the support of GT-trained facilitators. Students will complete challenging but thoughtful tasks related to college or career.

This level is designed to meet students where they are. Some will apply to colleges, look for scholarships and prepare for a higher education track. Others will consider internship opportunities, connect with future employers or look into a trade school. 

Students will also finish their “Adulting” book study in whole class settings.

This option is worth .25 of an elective credit or .5 of an elective credit if taken for the whole year. This is an alternative grouping option offered to assist and support GT Center students whose schedules do not accommodate a regular GT Center course or who choose not to enroll in an option that meets in class every day.

Students can choose a variety of options to complete their GT Satellite course, but not all of them result in getting the .25 elective credit. Here are the options:

• .25 elective credit option 1 – Students can choose to complete projects as a normal GT student would, and continue to meet with the teachers regularly to keep up with and complete their independent project. Student are also required to keep up with their Advanced Learning Plan progress and can choose to complete their projects based on their ALP goal to receive full credit.
• .25 elective credit option 2 – Students can complete a non-project-based option similar to the option above. Instead of completing projects based on their ALP, students will attend events, either related to their ALP or GT events such as the Fall Retreat or GT Night in the spring. Students will attend these events and then turn in a catalog of their hours spent to receive credit for the class and ALP evidence.
• No credit option – This option is for students who just want to keep GT on their schedule for ALP tracking. All students who have spent at least a semester in the GT Center will be automatically moved into this option, strictly so the students can be grouped to keep up with their ALP goals.

All of our courses are based on the Autonomous Learner Model by Dr. George Betts, Ms. Jolene Kercher and Dr. Blanche Kapushion. The ALM model is a framework for every aspect of the program, including projects, curriculum, interaction with students and advocation skills.

Students move through the steps of the ALM throughout the school year and move up to new steps between their freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.