High Plains Elementary School and the Cherry Creek School District define gifted and talented students in accordance with the federal definition from the 1988 Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act and the 1993 National Excellence Report.
Gifted and talented are:
· Children and youth with outstanding talent who perform or show the potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience, or environment.
· These children and youth exhibit high performance capability in intellectual, creative, and/or artistic areas, may possess an unusual capacity for leadership, or excel in specific academic field. They require services or activities not ordinarily provided by the schools.
Outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.
High Plains utilizes research-based teaching strategies which provide opportunities for optimal learning ensuring students’ achievement at levels matching their abilities maximizing their potential.
· Flexible cluster grouping based on learning needs, readiness, and ability.
· Compacted curriculum allowing students to advance to the next learning level when appropriate.
· Accelerated mathematics classes in first through fifth grades utilizing flexible grouping based upon pre-assessment.
· Differentiation of the content, process and product based upon student’s academic need and ability in all academic areas.
· Enrichment opportunities before or after school providing opportunities which engage areas of interest or passion.
· Discussion groups to provide affective support for social and emotional needs.