Division Statement of Philosophy

for Education of the Gifted

The Chesapeake City Public School Division is committed to providing all students in grades K-12 with a quality education designed to meet individual needs.  Students with exceptional abilities require differentiated instruction in gifted education in order to accommodate their unique capabilities and to foster their full potential.  Without differentiation, superior potential may remain undeveloped.  Therefore, Chesapeake City Public Schools offers gifted students a continuum of differential instructional programs and services from kindergarten through grade twelve.  Gifted programs theoretically are based on the premise that learning experiences should emphasize higher order thinking skills in research and problem solving, and may focus on areas such as communication, creativity, self-awareness, and cooperative interaction with peers.

Programs Offered in

Gifted & Talented Education

Grades K-2:  Differentiated instruction is provided within heterogeneous classrooms.

Grade 2:  All students are administered achievement tests and ability measures from which a pool of potential candidates for gifted education is developed.  Parent and teacher checklists are coupled with school records to complete the eligibility requirements.

Grade 3:  Identified students are clustered within third grade classrooms where differentiated instruction occurs.  A mathematics curriculum based on Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) and higher order thinking skills is utilized in the home school.  In addition, Elementary Gifted Education Specialists prepare differentiated activities for these students and provide staff development for regular education teachers.

Grade 4:  Identified students are clustered within fourth grade classrooms.  Students will master the skills required for every child on their grade level based on the appropriate Standards of Learning, and then their classroom teacher will extend learning through a concept-based gifted curriculum that incorporates science and mathematics.

Grade 5:  Eligible students attend the Laboratory School for the Academically Gifted one day a week.  Using a concept-based curriculum, students are exposed to nine-week interdisciplinary, SOL-based strands incorporating language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and technology.  The final cohort is currently attending the Laboratory School.

Grades 6-8:  Eligible students will participate in honors courses in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign languages.  After-school enrichment opportunities are offered.  The Superintendent's Summer Gifted and Enrichment Series also provides students with opportunities for gifted education.

Grades 9-12:  Students are provided with a wide range of advanced study including honors and advanced placement (AP) classes in academic, performing arts, technical arts, and dual enrollment classes.  Students may continue to participate in the Superintendent's Summer Gifted and Enrichment Series or choose other programs (see below).

Additional Programs

• Summer Primary Adventures Program (1st-3rd grade students)

• Summer Art Enrichment (4th-5th grade students)

• Summer Foreign Language Enrichment (4th-5th grade students)

• Summer Art, Foreign Language, & Humanities (6th-7th grade students)

• Middle School After School Enrichment Series (6th-8th grade students)

• Superintendent's Summer Gifted and Enrichment Series (6th-12th grade students)

• Summer Residential Governor's Schools and Foreign Language Academies (rising 10th-12th grade students)

• International Baccalaureate Program (rising 9th grade students)

• Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology (high school students)

• Regional Governor's School for the Arts (rising 9th-12th grade students)