Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented

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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.

South Washington County Schools

South Washington County Schools
Title
South Washington County Schools
Grades Served
3, 4, 5
Program Name(s)
Gateway Program
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Identification for Advanced Academic Services in the SoWashCo schools through ability and achievement data
2E Accommodations
Yes
2 Sentence Description
The Gateway Program is a level 4 program that serves identified gifted learners using a cohort model with curriculum featuring increased depth, complexity and pacing as the primary lens for designing instruction. Gateway immerses students in an intellectually challenging community that encourages academic risk-taking to develop students’ academic potential and supports their social and emotional needs as learners.

Spring Lake Park Schools

Spring Lake Park Schools
Title
Spring Lake Park Schools
Website
Lighthouse Website
Grades Served
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Program Name(s)
Lighthouse School
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
We look at IQ or ability scores, achievement scores, along with a portfolio and student interview
2E Accommodations
Along with our facilitators meeting accommodations throughout the day, student needs may also be met by our Special Education teacher, Speech Pathologist, or Social worker.
2 Sentence Description
The Lighthouse is a school for gifted and insatiable learners aligned around: inquiry-based, complex learning, self-direction and collaboration with intellectual peers under the guidance of a nurturing staff providing high expectations, choice and challenge and fostering personalized experiences so that each student feels valued, inspired, challenged, and has a sense of belonging resulting in innovative and successful participation in future academic, life and career endeavors.

Stillwater Area Public Schools

Stillwater Area Public Schools
Title
Stillwater Area Public Schools
Website
Stillwater Area Public Schools Website
Grades Served
4, 5
Program Name(s)
GATE
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Eligibility may include but not be limited to, as space allows: Cognitive (general intellectual) Ability tests, Achievement tests, Teacher recommendation/input
2 Sentence Description
GATE provides students with a challenging instructional program which meets and exceeds the district’s academic standards. Differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction with an emphasis on higher level thinking skills is utilized to meet the needs of advanced learners.

White Bear Lake Area Schools, ISD 624

White Bear Lake Area Schools, ISD 624
Title
White Bear Lake Area Schools, ISD 624
Website
White Bear Lake Area Schools Gifted Services
Grades Served
3, 4, 5
Program Name(s)
Explorations
Type of Program
Public, School within a School
Admission Requirements
Eligibility for the Explorations Program is based on academic ability and achievement. Placement criteria have been established using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Screener, achievement testing (FastBridge) and teacher survey data.
2E Accommodations
All IEP and 504 plan accommodations are provided to ensure all students receive the supports they need to be successful.
2 Sentence Description
The Explorations Program is a School-Within-a-School for the exceptionally gifted that provides in-depth, rigorous instruction at an accelerated pace while meeting the unique social and emotional needs of exceptionally gifted learners. The program began in 2015 and continues to service students from throughout the district in grades 3, 4, and 5.
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