Full-time Gifted & Talented School Programs
These are schools focused on serving the needs of advanced learners. Each school has its own model that determines curriculum and instruction, grades served, and admissions criteria. Some are self-contained schools, where the whole school is designed for gifted & talented students. Some are a school within a school, which are public schools that have been divided into smaller subunits, within one building. Each program approaches this differently, but typically the gifted & talented students are integrated with other students for classes like music, art, lunch or recess.
Title
Grades Served
3, 4, 5
Program Name(s)
Nebula
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Based on local data, CogAT, MAP, and MCA (98-99%)
2 Sentence Description
The Nebula school-within-a-school program is designed for gifted and talented students in grades 3-5 who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance. The goal of this specially designed program is to provide advanced students with differentiated learning experiences that foster curiosity, exploration, and academic growth.
Website
Grades Served
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type of Program
Private, Self-Contained
Admission Requirements
Students should present a 2e profile, whether or not that has been named explicitly in an evaluation. This profile is typically visible through report and reference interpretation.
2E Accommodations
Strengths-based programming, small class sizes, many accommodations for ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia, etc.
2 Sentence Description
Small classes and specialized courses to develop strengths and talents.
Title
Website
Grades Served
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Program Name(s)
Pi Academy
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Students qualify based on academic and ability testing. Students must score at the highest levels in reading, math and Cogat.
2E Accommodations
All accommodations that are noted in IEP or 504 plans are provided to ensure all students receive the supports they need to be successful.
2 Sentence Description
subject accelerated in reading and math. Teachers adjust depth, complexity, and pacing to meet the needs of the students they serve
Grades Served
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Program Name(s)
Elements (2-3), Dimensions Academy (4-8), Nobel (6-12), Dimensions Academy High School Stem and Humanities (9-12)
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Varied – 90% Reading and MAP + CogAT (Elements), 95% Reading and Math + CogAT (DA 4-8), 85%+ Reading and Torrance Test of Creativity (Nobel), 98% Reading, Math, college level ACT scores (DAHS STEM and Humanities)
2E Accommodations
Many of our teachers have an advanced degree or GT certification. Ongoing PD is conducted with 2e learners often a focus.
2 Sentence Description
Bloomington Public schools offers a variety of pathways for gifted learners. These range from a Humanities based talent development program that focuses on growing creativity to rigorous accelerated programs that focus on research, and finally college level courses for high schoolers.
Title
Website
Grades Served
1, 2, 3, 4
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
View at https://www.isd181.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=148503&pageId=2026046
2E Accommodations
Communication of accommodations, with or without an IEP, for any student will be between the teacher, parent, administration, interventionists, and/or special education staff and will be ongoing. Accommodations are closely monitored and adjusted to maintain successful educational outcomes.
2 Sentence Description
School-within-a-school model at Lowell Elementary School for grades 1-4 (5th grade is included in their middle school), followed by intensive (honors and advanced) courses at the middle school level in all academic subjects. Program originated in mid 1970’s.
Title
Website
Grades Served
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Program Name(s)
Quest
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Families must make a request for their child to be assessed for the Quest program. Test scores from the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) are used to make placement decisions, as well as other information. Students who are considered for placement should score in the mid-90th percentiles on the MAP and CogAT tests. Parents and teachers submit information on students to help guide the team in making placement decisions for the program. BHM School District resident and non-resident students are welcome to apply. All qualified students participate tuition free.
2E Accommodations
Accommodations included in IEP or 504 plans are used in planning for placement to ensure all students are receiving the support to be successful.
2 Sentence Description
The program covers the core areas of English, mathematics, science and social studies within a full-time, elementary classroom for students in grades 2-5, and at the middle and high school level in grades 6-9. The curriculum is accelerated in mathematics and science, with students studying content above grade level. It is also highly enriched in language arts and social studies.
Website
Grades Served
3, 4, 5
Program Name(s)
Odyssey
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Students that have a CogAT score of 97 percentile or higher in 3 or more areas or have an overall SAS of 130.
2E Accommodations
2E students in Odyssey have access to all supports they need including a SpEd teacher, speech pathologist, OT, and/or psychologist, as well as knowledgeable classroom teachers that understand gifted students and differentiate to meet individual student needs.
2 Sentence Description
The goal of Odyssey programming is to meet the academic and social/emotional needs of children who are highly gifted.
Title
Grades Served
PK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Type of Program
Private, Self-Contained
Admission Requirements
Gifted
2 Sentence Description
Cyprus is a full-time, ability-based PK-8 school where students are placed into small ability-based classes in each subject with no limit to acceleration, including into college levels. Students work in classes at their pace and level with other students near their age and ability level and gifted teachers who understand the social-emotional development of gifted learners.
Website
Grades Served
3, 4, 5
Program Name(s)
Mosaic
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Achievement scores–currently one core subject at 98-99%tile with the second core subject in the 85%tile or higher. Cognitive assessment with at least 2 subtests in the 98-99%tile
2E Accommodations
Our teachers in the Mosaic Program acknowledge and focus on the student’s exceptional abilities while simultaneously providing appropriate accommodations and modifications where needed.
2 Sentence Description
The Mosaic program provides students opportunities to go deeper with grade level content, incorporate more project-based learning, and highlight their passions through independent learning choices all while learning with their intellectual peers. We currently subject accelerate the students in math and provide problem solving opportunities designed specifically with gifted learners in mind.
Website
Grades Served
9, 10, 11
Type of Program
Public, Self-Contained
Admission Requirements
None
2E Accommodations
Personalized Learning Plans
2 Sentence Description
Personalized Learning Plans