MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE GIFTED STUDENT

One of the hallmarks of the Scottsdale Unified School District is that it meets students where they are in their learning. While SUSD provides future-focused, world-class learning opportunities for all of its students, each child’s learning needs are unique to them.

For students who are identified as gifted (testing is offered twice each school year), the learning goes far beyond the textbook. Gifted students are challenged to be the architects of their own learning and are led by teachers who are trained and supported specifically in the education of gifted students. Simple answers to questions are not sufficient for the gifted learner. Gifted students want to know the ‘why?’ and very probably multiple ‘whys?’ as they tackle and move through and beyond core subject content. SUSD offers a continuum of gifted services that reflect the specific needs of SUSD’s diverse students.

While SUSD offers several options for accelerated learning and advanced content delivery, including the School-wide Gifted Cluster Grouping Model and Content Replacement (PACT) at the elementary level, Gifted electives and Honors courses at the middle level, and Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and concurrent (dual) enrollment with Scottsdale Community College at the high school level, the K-8 Comprehensive Gifted Program, or CGP, is designed for highly gifted students. Student participation is by application, with specific testing qualifications that must be met. SUSD’s CGP offers fast-paced, accelerated, studentcentered and student-driven learning opportunities to meet students’ unique learning requirements. CGP concentrates K-8 gifted learning in designated elementary and middle schools in SUSD’s Arcadia (Tavan Elementary and Ingleside Middle), Desert Mountain (Redfield Elementary and Desert Canyon Middle) and Saguaro (Kiva Elementary and Mohave Middle) Learning communities.

Redfield Principal Dr. Amanda Rand says she happily assures families considering CGP that their students’ learning experience is being guided by teachers specifically trained in meeting the needs of accelerated learners, academically, emotionally and socially. “Students are gifted all day, every day, and the smaller classroom experience we offer provides the flexibility and appropriately challenging curriculum they need to be able to grow beyond gradelevel ceilings.” When Rand’s own 1st grader qualified for the program, she did not hesitate to enroll him.

When their elementary days conclude, Redfield’s gifted students move on to the CGP waiting for them up the road at Desert Canyon Middle School (DCMS). Principal Robert Akhbari says his school’s partnership with Redfield works well. “Redfield students come to the middle school better prepared to take on many new adventures and change. DCMS is very fortunate to have Redfield as a partner in providing excellent learning opportunities for our future students.”

To learn more about SUSD’s Comprehensive Gifted Program, go to www.susd.org/Gifted