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Our Vision
We envision a school that fosters a culture of learning that:
Stimulates, and challenges gifted and talented students to expand their intellectual and cultural horizons in a safe, respectful, and accepting atmosphere. Nurtures the students’ natural desire to learn so that they will develop a life- long love of learning. Encourages students to use their gifts, talents, and leadership to contribute to the betterment of their community. Promotes individual confidence, personal responsibility, moral integrity, mutual respect, and creative freedom. Fosters an educational environment that raises the floor, removes the walls, and eliminates the ceiling on learning.
We envision a diverse body of students who:
Have been identified as having intellectual, creative, and leadership abilities beyond those typically seen in their age and grade levels. Are often atypical learners who easily grow bored when not challenged, and reach their fullest potential in non-traditional learning environments. Typically learn at a speed and depth that enables them to master basic and fundamental skills more quickly, and progress to more sophisticated cognitive endeavors. Possess diverse skills and interests and seek a well-rounded educational experience rather than a subject-specific emphasis. Come from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, each of which contributes value to the rich fabric of the academic culture.
We envision teachers who:
Are energized and enthused by the challenges and rewards of working with gifted and talented students. Take pride in their professional skills, and update and enhance them by regularly participating in training in current knowledge, research, and methodologies of gifted and talented education. Love to explore creative, innovative, non-traditional methods of challenging and stimulating the gifted and talented student. Realize that the best teachers do not merely present information to the students, but participate with them in learning.
We envision a curriculum that:
Reflects the school’s commitment to academic excellence, while accommodating the learning styles of gifted and talented students. Provides differentiated opportunities to embrace each student’s particular abilities and talents, and enable the student to achieve his or her highest academic potential. Exposes students to learning resources, such as college libraries, the Internet, and institutions and individuals in the community. Offers a wide range of courses, including enriched and enhanced versions of core courses, supplemented by electives from all disciplines, including foreign languages, social sciences, and fine arts. Stresses effective communication of ideas, opinions, and perceptions rather than mere accumulation of knowledge. Emphasizes and rewards higher-level thinking, problem-solving skills, resource- fullness, real-world applications of learned skills, and the ability to synthesize multiple disciplines and talents. Promotes a life-long love of learning that prepares students to become responsible, broad-minded, contributing members of a diverse society.
We envision school administrators who:
Share the school’s commitment to high academic standards in an environment that accommodates the diverse learning styles of gifted and talented students. Appreciate the value of gifted and talented students, and understand that they tend to be remarkably mature, responsible, trustworthy students who sometimes require the freedom to be themselves more than they require harsh discipline. Are committed to hiring and supporting teachers who understand and thrive in a gifted and talented environment. Welcome parental participation in the challenging and rewarding adventure that is gifted and talented education. Understand and appreciate the unique position the school occupies, and are committed to provide the energetic leadership required to accomplish the school’s vision.
We envision parents who:
Participate in all aspects of their children’s education, inside and outside of the classroom. Are willing to support the school with their energy, their creativity, their time, and their financial assistance, to whatever extent that they are able. Are committed to working with the school administrators and teachers in a constructive and collaborative manner to provide the most enriching and enlightening education possible for their children. |
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