This program focuses on the individual needs of students in both academics and the arts. All classes, except related arts, take place on the team. The Gifted and Talented Program students also have the opportunity to take Visual and Performing Arts courses. During the first few weeks of school, teachers get to know students’ strengths and interests through completion of parent and student inventories, past records, and pretesting. Using this background information, teachers create individualized schedules for each student member of the team. These schedules reflect the needs and preferences of students in order to challenge all students on the team to meet their potential. This is achieved through students’ exposure to a combination of classes that cater to various abilities and interests. Students in the Gifted and Talented Magnet who take Visual Art or Performing Arts classes are eligible for Early Review for the Visual and Performing Arts programs at duPont Manual High School/ Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). 

Gifted and Talented classes provide:

• Enrichment and acceleration based on initiative.

• Advanced critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Creative options and alternative assignments. 

• A more in-depth approach to subject matter. 

• Challenge Centers for independent learning. 

• Higher-level reading opportunities. 

• Media that is geared toward Gifted and Talented students. 

• Varied forms of assessment 

Additional opportunities provide: 

• Leadership development.

• Integrated technology experiences. 

• A daily related arts period. 

• Service learning. 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Gifted and Talented Program, the applicant must be coded Gifted through their elementary school screening or score within the 9th Stanine in Reading or Math on MAP, or above the 96th Percentile on NormReferenced exams, or have Index Scores of at least 128 on the Naglieri NNAT3. 

These magnet program classes are designed for students who have an interest in the visual and performing arts. Courses for sixth-grade students generally last one semester. Most magnet program classes for seventh- and eighth-grade students are scheduled for one full year. Students are in visual and performing arts classes for one hour and participate on academic teams for five hours each school day. These students also have the opportunity for Early Review for the Visual and Performing Arts programs at duPont Manual High School/ YPAS.