Students in grades 6-8 may be clustered in classrooms and may participate in compacted curriculum; compacted curriculum is generally for students who have been accelerated in math at earlier grade levels. Teachers of the gifted sections of English Language Arts, Compacted Math, and Discovery courses either hold a gifted endorsement on their Ohio teaching license or participate in gifted professional development in accordance with Ohio rules. Service and programming options include the following:
English Language Arts Gifted Section – A cluster class is a typical grade level class that includes 4-10 students who are gifted in the same area. This type of grouping allows for gifted learners to have access to similar-ability peers for collaboration and facilitates differentiation in the classroom without removing students to separate learning setting.
Compacted Math – This is a sequence of middle school math courses that compacts three years of math (Math 6, Math 7, and Math 8) into two years during grades 6 and 7. Students then go on to take Honors Algebra I in 8th grade, thus opening space in the high school years for higher level math courses. While students do not need to be identified as gifted to enroll, provided they meet other eligibility criteria, these courses are considered a gifted service for students who are gifted in the subject area of the course. The sequence is also considered a subject acceleration for all students during the second year.
College Credit Plus (CCP) – The program is available to eligible students in grades 7 through 12. Students may apply to and enroll in college courses as participating universities while still enrolled in Bexley City Schools. Students earn dual high school and college credit for these courses. Tuition and books are provided for students who maintain required performance levels. In some cases, they may also be considered an acceleration for participating students. Because these are true college level courses with the expectation of previous mastery of high school content, this program is typically only appropriate for a very small number of students in grades 7-10. Please weigh all options carefully when considering CCP.
In addition to the formal gifted service listed above, gifted students may receive support for their talents and abilities as described below. Many of the options do not require students to be identified as gifted in a specific area to participate. **These options do not qualify as a formal gifted service per state rules. Students in the course will NOT have the service listed or related goal on a Written Education Plan.
Discovery – This is a quarter-long middle school elective for students identified as gifted in superior cognitive ability. Students develop their research skills while conducting a guided independent study to “discover” more about a chosen topic of interest.
Allied Arts Electives – These courses in art, music, band, choir, orchestra, and others are opportunities for students with talents in the visual or performing arts to pursue that passion and further develop their skills.
Design Elective – This course is an interdisciplinary course that provides students with an opportunity to utilize creative problem-solving skills to design a real world solution. This option may spark the interest and develop skills of our students who are gifted in superior cognitive ability, creative thinking, science, or social studies.
Foreign Language Electives – These courses in Latin, French, or Spanish can provide challenging learning experiences for our students who are gifted in superior cognitive ability, reading, or social studies.
Extracurricular Activities – Schools may offer afterschool activities, such as theatre arts, student council, book clubs, or other specialized groups. These programs may serve as opportunities for gifted learners to explore areas of interest, try new things, connect with students who have similar interests, or develop their leadership skills. Students should reach out to their principal or school counselor for information about opportunities.
Service Withdrawal
Middle school students will automatically be placed in the gifted services for which they are eligible. However, parents/guardians may decline gifted services if they choose. Families are strongly encouraged to work with the teacher attached to that gifted service, the building principal, and any other relevant staff to develop a plan of support and intervention for the student prior to withdrawal. Educators may share concerns about student performance in the class; however, educators may not remove a student from gifted services without parent/guardian consent nor may they coerce a parent/guardian to do so. Families who wish to either decline or withdraw their student from gifted services must submit a signed gifted service withdrawal form to the building principal. The principal will notify the teacher of the service and will modify the student’s schedule in PowerSchool accordingly. The principal will place a copy of the form in the student’s cumulative school file and provide a copy to the district’s administrator for gifted education, who will, in turn, modify EMIS reporting. Once a student declines or withdraws from a gifted service for the year, they may not return to that service that same year. However, the student may participate in any service for which they are eligible the next school year.