Programs - Gifted

Small Class Size

Personalized attention in a supportive learning enviornment.

Enrichment & Higher Level Thinking

Challenging lessons that inspire critical thinking and creativity.

Compacted Curriculum

Advanced pacing to dive deeper into topics of interest.

Creative Opportunities

Encouraging innovation, exploration and original ideas.

Individualized Education

Learning tailored to each student's strengths and goals.

About the Gifted Program

The purpose of the gifted program is to aid in the optimum development of gifted students’ intellectual, emotional, and social abilities. Children in grades Pre-K 3 through 12 are eligible to be identified as gifted. To become a participant in the Gifted Program offered by East Baton Rouge Parish School System, a child must be identified as “gifted” through testing is accordance with the criteria stated in Pupil Appraisal Handbook (Bulletin 1508) of the Louisiana State Department of Education.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED STUDENTS

Learns Easily/Rapidly
Reads Extensively
Has an Advanced Vocabulary
Retains a Quantity of Information
Exhibits a Long Attention Span
Curious and Has a Variety of Interests
Works Independently
Is Alert and Observant
Has a Good Sense of Humor
Comprehends and Recognizes Relationships
Is a High Academic Achiever
Displays Individuality
Has Self-Motivation and is Self-Sufficient
Demonstrates Task Commitment

Learns Easily/Rapidly
Reads Extensively
Has an Advanced Vocabulary
Retains a Quantity of Information
Exhibits a Long Attention Span
Curious and Has a Variety of Interests
Works Independently

Is Alert and Observant
Has a good sense of humor
comprehends and recognizes relationships
is a high academic achiever
displays individuality
has self-motivation and is self-sufficient
demonstrates tasks commitment

Criteria for Gifted Identification

Evidence for gifted identification comes from a formal evaluation which can be performed by either East Baton Rouge Parish School System Pupil Appraisal Services, a division of Exceptional Student Services, or a private agency. Evaluations performed by a private agency must be sent to Pupil Appraisal Services for review. A child must meet at least one of the following criteria to be identified as gifted. There are two sets of criteria for eligibility: Pre-K - Kindergarten and Grades 1 – 12.

Pre-K students in gifted classes may be assigned to one of the following sites: McKinley Elementary or Parkview Elementary. This Pre-K assignment does not ensure continued placement in the kindergarten program at that school site. Assignments for kindergarten will be coordinated by the Gifted and Talented Office prior to enrollment in kindergarten. Written notification of kindergarten assignments will be mailed to the parents no later than March 1st.

Steps to identification

Pre-K

1. Screening
- By appointment with Pupil Appraisal personnel (Results provided at end of screening session)
- No cost
-May be re-screened six months from screening date

Contact 225-929-8638

2. Full Gifted Evaluation
- Pending results of screening
- Results released within 60 days
- No cost
- May be retested one year from test date

K - 12th Grade

1. Screening
- Send a written request to your child's school
- May be re-screened six months from screening date

2. Full Gifted Evaluation
- Pending results of screening
- Results released within 60 days
- No cost
- May be retested one year from test date

Criteria for Eligibility

Pre-K 3 - Kindergarten

Criterion 1 – IQ alone | The child must score at least 3 standard deviations above the mean on an intellectual aptitude test administered by a school psychologist or licensed psychologist.

-OR-

Criterion 2 - Matrix 10 points | The child must obtain at least 10 points (with at least 4 points in IQ) on the Standard Matrix which combines intellectual aptitude and academic achievement test scores.

1st - 12th Grade

Criterion 1 – IQ alone | The child must score at least 2 standard deviations above the mean on an intellectual aptitude test.

-OR-

Criterion 2 - Matrix 7 points | The child must obtain a score of at least 7 points when scores are entered into the cells on the Standard Matrix with at least two points on the intellectual aptitude test.ORCriterion 3 - Matrix 6 pointsThe child must obtain at least 6 points when the scores are entered into the cells of the Standard Matrix, and a recommendation for classification as gifted is made by pupil appraisal personnel who conducted the evaluation.

Small Class Size

Personalized attention in a supportive learning enviornment.

Individualized Education Program

Learning tailored to each student's strengths and goals.

Certified Teachers

Teachers certified by the State Department of Education as qualified to instruct Talented Students.

Enriched Content

Curriculum content enriched beyond that available to students in the regular education arts classes.

Carnegie Unit

High school students enrolled in the Talented program receive a Carnegie Unit of credit toward graduation requirements.

Additional Experiences

Wide range of performance and exhibit experiences offered to students.

About the Talented Arts Program

The Talented Arts Program is an educational program for students identified as talented in visual arts, music or theatre in grades K – 12 and enrolled in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. Classes provided in these disciplines are designed to provide experiences that enable the talented student to further develop demonstrated skills, increase discipline knowledge, and grow as an artist.

The Screening Process

The first step in being identified as talented is to be screened by a teacher familiar with your child’s gifts. The screening begins at the school level with a signed permission form or a written request from the parent sent to the school counselor. Tangible evidence of a student's work, such as programs from recitals or plays, or a portfolio of art work, must be provided.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TALENTED STUDENTS

Exceptional ability in art, music, and/or theatre
Intense appreciation of art, music and/or theatre
Sensitivity, intuitiveness, responding emotionally to people, events and art forms
highly creative thinking and vivid imagination
ability to demonstrate feelings and emotions through the arts
ability to view and express things from unusual perspectives
Self-motivation and intense power of concentration, feels driven to work on task until it is complete
Total absorption and enjoyment in artistic performance
Capable of working productively alone or in small groups with minimum guidance from the teacher
very perceptive of the feelings and talents of others
highly critical of his/her own work, but can learn to accept his/her strengths and weaknesses as an artist
ability to think on his/her feet and improvise with common place materials
energetic and impulsive, he/she may become "turned off" if not given the time and freedom to express himself/herself
sets high and sometimes unrealistic standards fo rhimself/herself, and with those he/she comes in close contact

Exceptional ability in art, music, and/or theatre
Intense appreciation of art, music and/or theatre
Sensitivity, intuitiveness, responding emotionally to people, events and art forms
highly creative thinking and vivid imagination
ability to demonstrate feelings and emotions through the arts
ability to view and express things from unusual perspectives
Self-motivation and intense power of concentration, feels driven to work on task until it is complete

Total absorption and enjoyment in artistic performance
Capable of working productively alone or in small groups with minimum guidance from the teacher
very perceptive of the feelings and talents of others
highly critical of his/her own work, but can learn to accept his/her strengths and weaknesses as an artist
ability to think on his/her feet and improvise with common place materials
energetic and impulsive, he/she may become "turned off" if not given the time and freedom to express himself/herself
sets high and sometimes unrealistic standards fo rhimself/herself, and with those he/she comes in close contact

About the Great Scholars Academy

The Scholastic Academy, serving students in grades Pre-K–12, was established by the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education to identify and support academically gifted students. Instruction is differentiated to meet each student's academic needs and is delivered at an accelerated pace, with less repetitive practice than in traditional classrooms. Students engage in rigorous, enriching, and challenging learning experiences designed to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and other essential 21st-century skills. The curriculum provides an accelerated, stimulating environment that encourages students to reach their full academic potential.

Program Details by Grade Level

Pre-K - 6th Grade

Current East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) students and students new to EBRPSS in grades Pre-K–6 are eligible to participate in the Scholastic Academy program.

Scholastic Academy students benefit from a gifted self-contained classroom or a gifted resource ("pull-out") setting for up to three years. The program is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and strong oral and written language skills through an enriched and accelerated curriculum. Students placed in blended self-contained gifted classrooms must demonstrate the ability to perform successfully above grade level.

To remain eligible, students must maintain a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 and meet appropriate behavior expectations.

All Scholastic Academy students will be referred for gifted program evaluations after their third year. In accordance with Louisiana Bulletin 1508, students who do not meet the state's gifted education eligibility criteria during this evaluation must exit the Scholastic Academy program.

7th - 12th Grade

Students in grades 7–12 may be screened for admission to the Scholastic Academy if they are new to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) after transferring from another school district, state, country, or from a private or parochial school.

Program participation is limited to three years. During this time, Scholastic Academy students are placed in blended, self-contained gifted classrooms alongside identified gifted students. Placement, instructional services, and curriculum follow established Gifted Program guidelines, providing students with a rigorous and accelerated learning environment.

All Scholastic Academy students will receive a full gifted evaluation after their third year of program participation. In accordance with Louisiana Bulletin 1508, students who do not meet the state's gifted education eligibility criteria must exit the Scholastic Academy program.

Students in grades 6–12 who exit the Scholastic Academy program may choose to transfer to the Great Scholars Academy, if they qualify, or return to their home school. The Great Scholars Academy offers a rigorous, academically challenging curriculum that parallels the Gifted Program and continues to provide advanced learning opportunities for high-achieving students.

About the Great Scholars Academy

Great Scholars Academy is an accelerated program with highly qualified teachers and a rigorous curriculum for middle and high school students in East Baton Rouge Parish School System. This program parallels the gifted program however Great Scholars students are placed in separate classes from the gifted students. Students must maintain an unweighted overall 2.5 GPA or higher to continue in the program. The Great Scholars Academy is located at the gifted middle and high school sites: Glasgow Middle School, Westdale Middle School, Woodlawn Middle School, McKinley High School, and Woodlawn High School.

Placement at school site is contingent upon application and acceptance by the Gifted and Talented Office. The Great Scholars Academy Application should be completed and returned to the Gifted and Talented Office with copies of the student’s most recent standardized test scores and report card or email the information to gifted@ebrschools.org or fax it to 225-929-8743.

Admissions Criteria

84th percentile or higher IQ composite score on district approved intelligence test
OR
National Percentile Rank of 84 or higher (Mastery and/or Advanced) in two subject areas on a recent standardized test in Reading/ELA, Mathematics, Science, and/or Social Studies administered within the past 12 months.

AND

Conform to behavior standards set by the school and school system.