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Gifted and advanced learning by grade
Kindergarten to grade 5
In the early grades, gifted and advanced learners are grouped in their classrooms and receive enrichment through supplementary programs such as
- Jacob’s Ladder in reading and language arts
- Project M2 and M3 for mathematics
- Specialized science and math units of study from the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary
Grades 6 to 8
In middle school, honors math, English, science, and social studies classes are available to challenge all students. Gifted and advanced learners taking these classes should expect to experience above-grade-level curricula in honors English and compacted/telescoped curricula in honors math. Through middle school choice, 5th-grade students can also apply for the Advanced Academics program and the Ingenuity Project, both of which are offered at several schools beginning in 6th grade.
Grades 9 to 12
In high school, gifted and advanced learners can take honors and Advanced Placement courses at all schools, and can pursue dual enrollment to earn college credits and mentorships. The Ingenuity Project is available at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and Baltimore City College offers the International Baccalaureate.
Since high school offerings vary, it is important for students to learn about the opportunities offered at each school as part of the choice process to ensure the best fit. The right time to start planning is 6th and 7th grade!
100 schools
offer gifted and advanced learning services
19 schools
have received the state's EGATE recognition
2 teachers
have been honored by the National Association of Gifted Children
The Ingenuity Project
Information Session
Middle School Information Sessions:
- Date: Saturday. November 2, 2019
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Date: Thursday, December 12, 2019
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
Information Sessions will be held at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
We will also be onsite for Poly's Open House!
- Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
- Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
Talent Mentoring Program
The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), in concert with the Gifted and Advanced Learning (GAL) office, are partnering again this year to provide a science-based Talent Mentoring Program (TMP) for identified or potentially identified 3rd grade Gifted and advanced learners. Our goal is to provide these students with a valuable experience that will broaden their ideas of what is possible for their contemporary and future selves.
Two or three University mentors will dedicate 1 hour each week over the course of the school year with the intent of providing a more authentic “one to one” interaction between the identified students and their mentors. They will engage in “William and Mary” science units which utilize an inquiry-based approach to studying science and offer higher level thinking challenges for our learners. Each school will receive a “William and Mary” science resource kit to use for implementing the lessons. Each school has a TMP Liaison that is responsible for monitoring the program from week to week.
The mentors will provide life-long benefits for the gifted students by demonstrating positive role model behaviors for these students. One of the most valuable experiences a gifted student can have is exposure to a mentor who is willing to share personal values, a particular interest, time, talents and skills. For gifted children, the potential benefits of a committed mentor are numerous and can contribute to both short and long-term success for the mentees as well as the mentors.
This partnership has existed for 3 years and has had a positive impact on the students that have been in the program. The responses from the students and mentors show that both have enjoyed this experience and it provided both mentor and student with lasting relationships that will provide inspiration and new insights in their future. The video link below will show the relationship between both mentor and mentees during a “William and Mary” science lesson where the students were engaged in learning about “chemical reactions”.
We currently have 26 schools that participate in the program and 40 plus first and second year UMSOM mentors that have signed on to participate. The program has been highlighted in the Baltimore Sun papers as well as one of our mentors were recognized as an “Everyday Hero” with Chick-Fil-A.
Schools that currently participate in the program:
- Abbottston Elementary
- Belmont Elementary
- Callaway Elementary
- Federal Hill Preparatory Academy
- Furman L Templeton Preparatory Academy
- Hilton Elementary
- Maree G. Farring Elem./Middle
- Matthew Henson
- Moravia Park Elementary
- Robert W. Coleman
- William Paca
- Calvin Rodwell Elem./Middle
- Gwynns Falls Elem.
- Dr. Bernard Harris Elem.
- Dallas F. Nicholas Elem.
- Yorkwood Elem.
- Steuart Hill Elem.
- Pimlico Elem./Middle
- Commodore John Rodgers Elem./Middle
- Windsor Hills Elem./Middle
- Glenmount Elem./Middle
- Cross Country Elem./Middle
- Furley Elementary
- Wildwood Elem./Middle
- Charles Carrol Barrister Elem.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elem./Middle
Does gifted and advanced refer only to academic ability?
No. Gifted and advanced learners perform or show the potential to perform at high levels academically, artistically, creatively, or in leadership.
How are gifted and advanced learners identified?
All kindergarten students are screened with an ability assessment, and achievement results are monitored throughout the grades. Either the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT3) or the Cognitive Ability Test (CogAT) is used as an initial identifier, and formal identification then includes data from nationally normed achievement assessments in mathematics and reading (e.g., PARCC, i-Ready, or the Measure of Academic Progress). City Schools also uses motivation scales (GES-3) and creativity assessments (Torrance) in limited cases when students pre-qualify in only one of the two categories of ability or achievement.
What's the difference between gifted and advanced?
Gifted learners have ability and achievement scores in the 90th to 99th percentile range (level 5 on PARCC in both ELA and math), while advanced learners' scores fall in the 80th to 89th percentile range (level 4 on PARCC in both ELA and math).
What about students who are near the 80th percentile, but not quite there?
City Schools also identifies students for talent development when their ability scores exceed the national average but do not yet qualify them as advanced or gifted.
Can my child be screened for gifted and advanced programs?
Please complete and submit the online referral form. Staff from the Gifted and Advanced Learning department in the district's Academics Office will review and forward the form to your child's school. You will be notified about the status of the submission at each stage of the process.
Resources
Local organizations
- Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education: This volunteer organization is made up of parents, professionals, graduate students, educators, and others who share an interest in gifted education.
- Maryland Mensa: The local affiliate of the national organization provides opportunities to network with and support gifted learners.
- Maryland Summer Centers for Gifted and Talented Students: The Maryland State Department of Education sponsors summer learning opportunities each year, with information usually posted in early February.
- Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: This organization works to identify and develop the talents of the most advanced K-12 learners.
National organizations
- The National Association for Gifted Children: The leading organization of parents, educators, professionals, and community leaders working to address the unique needs of gifted children.
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted: This organization provides information on effective ways to live and work with gifted individuals.
- Stanford University Education Program for Gifted Youth: Computer-based, multimedia courses in mathematics, physics, English, computer programming, and other subject areas.
- Davidson Institute for Talent Development: This national nonprofit organization supports profoundly gifted students under the age of 18.
Supporting your gifted learner at home
- Hoagies: A comprehensive site designed for families of gifted and advanced learners.
- University of Connecticut's School of Education: Recommendations for of award-winning books, audiobooks, and books recommended by other children, adolescents, and young adults.
- Academy of Achievement: This site seeks to bring students face to face with leaders, visionaries, and pioneers who have helped shape the world.
- Library of Congress: Resources for students and families ranging from classic books online to a national jukebox of recordings.