Gifted Services

Gifted Services Mission:
Meeting the specialized needs of gifted students through a rigorous learning environment continuously promoting life-long learning.

Goals:
1. Increase the identification and services of under-represented populations of gifted students.

2. Gifted students show adequate yearly growth in learning.

3. Grow students' potentials in academics and the arts to their fullest.

4. Foster collaborative relationships between students, families, staff, and our community.

5. Explore services and options to further students' ability to succeed in a global era

Entrance Criteria

Children must be identified as gifted according to Ohio's State Standards (typically 95^th percentile or higher) or emerging (90^th percentile or higher) in at least of the following areas:

Superior Cognitive Ability

Specific Academic Area: Math

Specific Academic Area: Reading/Writing

Specific Academic Area: Science

Specific Academic Area: Social Studies

Creative Thinking Ability

Visual Arts

Music (this could be vocal or instrumental)

Drama

Dance*

Per Ohio Law, incoming test scores must be less than 24 months old at time of application for the purpose of new identifications. Previous valid gifted identification records from other Ohio districts will also be accepted. Opportunities for possible identification will be provided throughout the year for services to be offered no later than the following school year.

*The Ohio Department of Education does not have offer an approved dance behavior checklist for students younger than 14 years. Therefore, students will only be identified as emerging in this area until the state approves the tool necessary to identify students as gifted.

Academic Acceleration and Curriculum Compacting Opportunities

All students learn and progress at different rates and the time it takes to reach academic standards varies among students. Academic acceleration adjusts the pace of instruction to the student’s capabilities, provides an appropriate level of challenge by removing the barriers to accessing appropriately challenging curriculum and reduces the time period necessary for students to complete traditional schooling. Early entrance to kindergarten and/or first grade, subject and/or whole grade acceleration, and early graduation for the purpose of pursuing college at an earlier age are options available to students of Sandusky City Schools. If you are seeking early entrance to Kindergarten or first grade, please visit our forms page for an application for early entrance to Kindergarten. Contact Mrs. Toft at 419-984-1349 or [email protected] with any questions.

Some classes at RCAAS and Sandusky Middle School have been specifically designed to compact more than a year’s worth of content into one year of instruction. This instructional strategy is intended to prepare our capable students for successful subject acceleration at a later date and help them to become well-poised to take full advantage of Advanced Placement and college credit offerings during their high school years.

Direct Intervention Services, Grades 1-2 at Sandusky Primary School

Students identified as gifted in Reading, Math, and/or Superior Cognitive Ability will be grouped in classes together so that teachers can deliver rigorous, specialized curriculum and instruction designed to meet the needs of gifted learners.

Direct Intervention Services, Grades 3-6 at the Regional Center for Arts & Academic Studies (RCAAS)

The Regional Center for Arts and Academic Studies has been developed to provide a world class education to identified gifted and emerging students in the areas of academics and the arts through innovative curriculum and instruction designed to meet the individual needs of each student. These gifted services include Superior Cognitive Ability, Math, Reading/Writing, Science, Social Studies, Creative Thinking, Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Dance. By admitting students at an emerging level, we employ a Talent Development Framework designed to offer opportunities to students who may benefit from the additional challenge and opportunities.

Visit our expanded website at https://sites.google.com/scsbluestreaks.net/rcaasenrollment/home for more details!

Options available for Junior High and Senior High School Gifted Students

Students who are identified as gifted are served through comprehensive curriculum offerings at the Junior and Senior High School levels. Sandusky High School offers a range of Honors, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and College Credit Plus (CCP). In addition to these academic offerings, students may qualify for arts courses through the Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Academy (GLVPAA). Courses take through GLVPAA are offered at SHS but provide students with advanced skill development in the arts, including some Career Tech credit and preparation for pursuit of the arts in college and career paths.

The DORN Fellowship Series

The DORN Fellowship Series was created in an effort to connect college faculty with gifted students. College professors from various disciplines are selected to design and develop curriculum throughout our K-12 gifted services. The generous donation from the DORN Foundation funds instruction, materials, and field trips that foster hands-on learning in a project-based format. We also host an annual Dorn Summer Experience as a week-long summer day camp.

Please contact your child's building principal or Tara Toft, 419.984.1349, to begin the conversation about whether these opportunities could benefit your child.

Ready to apply?

Click here to refer your child now!