Profile of Mount Vernon School District’s
Gifted and Talented Program Offerings

Primary

All elementary sites: Success for All Reading – Provides placement for students at their reading level (including kindergarten beginning in 2003-04)

Madison: Because the school is over 70% ELL, there is a yearlong enrichment program that includes guest artists in writing, graphic and visual arts as well as drama and dance. After school opportunities for those identified as gifted and talented include an extensive writing program as well as math/engineering and science offerings.

Washington: The Connections program at Washington has been highly successful. It is a thematic approach that offers a variety of after school classes to students with transportation provided at their conclusion. In addition, the students identified as part of the 2-3% of the gifted community have enhanced opportunities under this same theme.

Intermediate

Success for All Reading – Provides placement for students at their reading level

Site-specific delivery models for gifted and talented students as follows:

Centennial: Curriculum is intentionally modified in classes for highly capable students in their respective subject areas.

Jefferson: Students have been pulled out of regular classes once a week by grade level and engaged in project-based learning opportunities until this year. Currently a one-year pilot project is taking the same curricula used in the pull-out and offering it after school instead. So far attendance has been excellent according to the teacher.

Lincoln: Students are pulled out of regular classes once a week by grade level and engaged in project-based learning opportunities

Little Mountain: Students are pulled out of regular classes once a week by grade level and engaged in project-based learning opportunities. Gifted English Language Learners who are Level 1 and 2 English speakers last year had a special section during part of the year. This is planned once again for Spring 2004/

Madison: Because the school is over 70% ELL, there is a yearlong enrichment program that includes guest artists in writing, graphic and visual arts as well as drama and dance. After school opportunities for those identified as gifted and talented include an extensive writing program as well as math/engineering and science offerings.

Washington: The Connections program at Washington has been highly successful. It is a thematic approach that offers a variety of after school classes to students with transportation provided at their conclusion. In addition, the students identified as part of the 2-3% of the gifted community have enhanced opportunities under this same theme.

Middle School

Both middle schools provide drama opportunities to students outside of the school day.

LaVenture Middle School: Honors math is offered to those 7th and 8th grade students who are identified by Levels tests, WASL, and ITBS results as well as teacher recommendation. Spanish (year-long, grades 7 & 8)  and additional music opportunities are also available to students who qualify.

Mount Baker Middle School: Honors math is offered to 8th grade students who are identified by Levels tests, WASL, and ITBS results as well as teacher recommendation. Reading is also offered at their appropriate proficiency level, and additional music opportunities are also available to students who qualify.

High School

Honors, AP, and “College in the High School” courses are offered to qualifying students. Teacher recommendation, successful completion of pre-requisite courses, and standardized tests such as the WASL and ITED as well as program-specific placement tests are used to help match students with appropriate courses.

AVID

At the secondary level, the Advancement Via Individual Determination or AVID program is now in place to identify and serve students who might otherwise not access honors and AP courses. For details see www.avidonline.org or contact Mark Ermi or Tina Hardin at LaVenture Middle School and Chris Oliver at Mount Vernon High School for details.