Inside the gifted classroom
How are Gifted Students served at ICSAtlanta?
Elementary Students
Students identified as gifted will be served for 4 segments per week during P50.
Middle School
Students identified as gifted are served through Enhanced Math in 6th-8th grades.
8th grade gifted students take high school Algebra I and earn high school math credit (with acceptable completion and passing of the course).
NOTE: Our school-wide IB model utilizes learning models which mirror those found in gifted classrooms.
What happens in a Gifted classroom?
Elementary Students
Students explore units on various topics with a focus on inquiry, design, and exploration.
Example previous units:
Art through the Ages
Gravity powered cars
Creating a business
Literature circles with advanced topics and discussion
Middle School
Courses move faster and cover topics on a deeper level (greater depth of knowledge)
6th grade enhanced math
7th grade enhanced math
8th grade enhanced math: Algebra I (high school credit)
Note: Students have more homework and are expected to spend time outside of class practicing concepts and reviewing material.
Gifted Probation
ICSAtlanta has high expectations, both academically and behaviorally, for our gifted students. If a student is not performing as expected, she/he will be placed on gifted probation. During the probation time, the Gifted Coordinator will set up a meeting with the student, the family, and a classroom teacher to review the necessary goals that need to be met (by the student) for her/him to remain in ICSAtlanta's gifted program. If the student is successful in meeting these goals, the probation will be lifted, and the student will remain in the gifted class. If the goals are not met in the defined time period, the student will be removed from the gifted class.
Elementary School
Students who do not participate or otherwise engage appropriately in the pull-out gifted class will be put on probation.
Gifted class participation is reviewed at each semester.
Middle School
Students are expected to have maintained an 80% in the enhanced math class at each quarter.
If a student's grade drops below an 80% for a quarter, she/he will be given a warning of gifted probation (to be reviewed at the end of the semester).
Students who improve their grade to at least an 80% at the semester report card will NOT be placed on gifted probation.
Students who do NOT improve their grade to at least an 80% will be placed on gifted probation for the next semester and possibly moved to on-level math (8th grade students may not be recommended for Geometry in high school).