Gifted Education and Advanced Academics

The philosophy of the Cartersville School System gifted program is to meet the educational  needs of gifted learners based on each student's unique abilities.  We believe that all students can learn and should be provided opportunities for learning at the most appropriate level.  The extension of learning opportunities, the development of individual potential, enhancement of the student's self-concept and advancement toward becoming an independent learner beyond the rigor of the general education classroom is a fundamental right for all students.  Collaboration is encouraged between all stakeholders to ensure that differentiation is made for all resources and instructional methods that will allow the gifted child to reach his/her full potential.

• To provide an environment that will cultivate and encourage intellectual and creative abilities.
• To develop appropriate gifted education services based on differentiated instruction.
• To develop emergent, self-reliant learners who fully develop the skills of analytical thinking, critical thinking and creativity and learners who can apply these skills to all areas of life.
• To provide opportunities for students to work cooperatively with their intellectual peers as well as their chronological peers.

The Cartersville City School System gifted program is a system-wide program in grades 1-12.  A differentiated curriculum is used to meet the needs and challenges of theses students.  Interdisciplinary units and differentiated instructional strategies are used to teach or enhance skills in research , higher levels of thinking, enhance creative and productive thinking, and extend the academic base of knowledge.  All gifted teachers possess the gifted endorsed certification and are experienced teachers with a wealth of teaching strategies that provide a rigorous and challenging curriculum for all gifted students.  Students are offered many opportunities to participate in learning activities with peers who have similar capabilities and interests.  The gifted curricula is based on the following learning objectives:

• Research Skills:  Develops advanced research skills and methods, which include in-depth, self-selected topics within an area of study.
• Cognitive Skills:  Develops and practices creative thinking and creative problem solving skills within a variety of complex topics.
• Learning Skills:  Develops and practices critical thinking and logical problem solving skills in academic areas.
• Communication Skills:  Develops advanced communication skills via new techniques, materials and formats (written, oral or visual) in products and through presentations shared with an audience.
• Affective Skills:  Develops an understanding of self and how their unique characteristics may influence interactions with others.  

Students are served in the primary grades (1-5) through the Gifted Resource model.  Students attend a gifted resource class for minimum of five segments per week.  Students are grouped by grade level and exposed to a differentiated curriculum that addresses each student's skill/creative level.

Students who are identified as gifted, in grades 6-8, participate in at least one Advanced Content class in the areas Mathematics, English/Language arts, Social Studies and Science five days per week.  Recognizing that students have individual strengths and weaknesses in specific content areas, a team of educators at the school reviews each student's performance based on teacher recommendation, grade point average, standardizes assessments and screeners and GMAS results. 

Teachers of Gifted students at CMS use differentiated teaching practices to meet the advanced needs of these learners. This can include adjustments to pacing, content delivery, and learning tasks, as well as an emphasis on higher-order thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.  

Gifted students in grades (9-12) may be served through Advanced Content, Cluster Grouping, Collaborative Teaching, and/or Post-Secondary Options.

• English: Honors Ninth and Honors Tenth Grade Literature and Composition, AP English Literature Composition, AP English Language and Composition
• Math: Honors Algebra 1, Honors Geometry, Honors Advanced Algebra, Honors Precalculus, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC
• Science: Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science
• Social Studies: AP United States Government and Politics, AP World History, AP US History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP 2-D Art and Design
• AP 3-D Art and Design
• AP Drawing
• AP Computer Science