Education Directory | Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented

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

Title

South Washington County Schools

Website

Gateway Program

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

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

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

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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