Concept of Program

 Elementary gifted learners span all socioeconomic, racial and cultural groups. Schools must nurture and support the emerging and demonstrated talents of these unique learners as they occur. The gifted learner enters the classroom with advanced knowledge and an ability to learn at a more rapid rate than age peers but may be the student least challenged. Gifted elementary grade students differ from their age mates in three significant areas:

1. Pace of learning

2. Depth of understanding

3. Interests

 The Crestwood Accelerated Program (CAP) is a program for eligible gifted and talented students in grades 2, 3, & 4. Student eligibility is defined as those students demonstrating superior intelligence and high academic achievement. Students in CAP will be provided instruction, which is differentiated from the standard school program through acceleration and enrichment. In language arts and mathematics, instruction is accelerated. Mastery of basic skills in these subject areas is still expected; however, such skills are introduced earlier and are taught at a faster pace. Enrichment (enhanced with topics that are broader in scope, of greater depth, and of higher difficulty than those typically offered in the standard school program) opportunities are also included in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students go on to Riverside Middle School as a cohort of students, but not technically identified as CAP and continue to take advanced classes.

 Identification of Students

Student enrollment is open to all Wayne County students outside of the Crestwood School District meeting the following eligibility requirements. All students would require:

• A score at or above the 75th percentile on both reading and math sections of the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)

• In-district students are invited to the program using NWEA scores (See table for qualifying scores)

Identified students are clustered with one teacher at each grade level at Hillcrest Elementary. The “school within a school” has been proven to be successful ranking 2nd in the state by Schooldigger.com and identified as a “green” school in the School Accountability scorecard with a score of 99 out of 100 and at the 99th percentile on the MDE School Accountability Scorecard in 2016 as a Rewards School.

 The following are some possible positive effects on students:

• Spending time in small groups reading and discussing challenging novels

• Working with advanced math problems & applications

• Using technology in project-based learning