Gifted and Talented Program flyer - White Bear Lake Area Schools

CHALLENGING ALL STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL
Opportunities for Gifted and Talented Students, Grades K-12
White Bear Lake Area Schools (WBLAS) supports every child in reaching his or her highest potential and
provides age-appropriate support for students who demonstrate exceptional ability.
To meet the unique needs of gifted students, the White Bear Lake Area Schools will:
• Identify gifted students using multiple criteria • Encourage creative and critical thinking
• Provide challenging learning experiences beyond • Provide staff with supportive and appropriate
the regular curriculum
training
• Promote higher-level thinking and problemsolving
• Make decisions based on research and best
skills
practices
Elementary School
District resource teachers serve all elementary schools by providing rigorous experiences for gifted and talented students
through pull-out experiences and by supporting teachers in meeting the needs of students in the classroom.
Gifted and talented students’ needs are met three ways during their elementary years.
• In Class
• Differentiated curriculum: the teacher adjusts lessons for different abilities.
• Flexible grouping: students of similar ability work together for certain subjects.
• Acceleration: advancing students beyond the normal curriculum – for example, in a single subject, skipping a
grade, early entrance to school, adding more depth and rigor.
• Pull-out Experiences
• Primary Challenge (grades 1-2): Identified students meet with the resource teacher once a week for advanced
instruction in literacy and/or math.
• REACH (grades 3-5): Identified students receive an advanced, rigorous curriculum through pull-out experiences,
online learning and independent projects in literacy and/or math.
• Building Enrichment
• There are a wide range of activities open to all students that provide extra enrichment beyond the traditional
school day, including opportunities such as Math Club, Science Fair, Young Authors, artists-in-residence, Chess Club,
play production and the North Suburban Summer Academy. Activities vary by building.
Elementary School Highlights
• Every elementary student receives art lessons through a partnership with
the White Bear Center for the Arts and swim lessons at the YMCA
• Students average more than one and one-third years of reading and math
growth in one year of school
• Broad range of elementary choices with strong neighborhood schools, a
districtwide IB Candidate School, a National Blue Ribbon School and other
school-community partnerships that enhance learning
• Students outperform the state on MCA-II tests in both reading and math
• Approximately 500 students are served through the Primary Challenge
and REACH programs
White Bear Lake Area Schools • 4855 Bloom Ave. • White Bear Lake, MN 55110 • 651-407-7500
www.whitebear.k12.mn.us

Middle School
The needs of gifted and talented middle school
students are met four ways:
• In Class
• Differentiated curriculum: the teacher adjusts
lessons for different abilities.
• Acceleration: advancing students beyond where
they would normally be – for example, in a single
subject, skipping a grade, enriched courses.
• Enriched Classes: these provide more challenge in
Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts
• Extra-curricular Activities: opportunities outside
the traditional school day include National History
Day, Math Team, Computer Club and Newspaper Club
• University of Minnesota Talented Youth
Mathematics Program (UMTYMP): highly
accelerated math courses for 6-12 grade students
Middle School Highlights
• Students outperform the state on the MCA-II tests in both
reading and math
• Spanish, French and German available all three years
• Five levels of math offered, including Algebra and
Geometry
• Project Lead the Way provides rigorous STEM (science,
technology, engineering and math) course opportunities
High School
There are four primary methods for providing extra challenge at the high school level, in addition to those offered within
the traditional classroom:
• Advanced Courses: students can select from a wide range of courses in several subjects – many of which are eligible
for college credit – including 15 Advanced Placement, 10 College in the Schools, Honors courses and Independent Study
• Extra-curricular Activities: students can participate in a wide range of activities such as Mock Trial, Debate, Jazz
Band and specialty choirs
• Post-secondary Enrollment Options and Mentor Connection: qualified students may attend eligible post-secondary
institutions with tuition paid through the PSEO act
• University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP): highly accelerated math courses for
students in grades 6-12
High School Highlights
• 25 college-level courses
• Largest College in the Schools (CIS) program in the area
• Service and leadership development opportunities
• Six levels of Spanish, French and German available
• Ten percent increase in students taking Advanced
Placement (AP) exams
• A certified Project Lead the Way site, offering STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) classes
eligible for University of Minnesota college credit
For more information on the challenging opportunities available in the White Bear Lake Area Schools, please contact your building principal.