Welcome...

The Department of Academic Advancement and Enrichment coordinates services that meet the needs of gifted and high ability students in Hampton City Schools. Included in these services are Gifted Education Services, and the International Baccalaureate program.

Questions? Email gifted@hampton.k12.va.us or call us at 727-2160
We look forward to serving the educational needs of your children!

DRAFT Local Plan for 2012-17 Public comments are welcome.  Call 727-2160 or email gifted@hampton.k12.va.us to tell us what you think!

General Information...

The Gifted Resource Program provides advanced educational opportunities with trained gifted resource staff on a weekly pullout basis.  The curriculum for this program includes in-depth activities in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and a variety of multidisciplinary activities that focus on the development of critical thinking skills and problem solving strategies.  For identified students in grades K-5, the Resource Program meets in each elementary school.  In many cases, gifted students in the zoned schools are also clustered in the general education setting so that their classroom teachers are able to differentiate assignments to provide additional challenges. For Grades K-2, this is a Talent Pool program, and students will be re-evaluated at the end of second grade to determine placement for the upper elementary grades.  In grades 6-8, middle school gifted students whose academic needs can best be met in their zoned schools are primarily served through cluster grouping and appropriately differentiated instruction.

    The Spratley Gifted Center (grades 3-8) provides a full-time program for identified gifted students with highly advanced skills and aptitudes who have already demonstrated their capacity for complex processing abilities.  These students require a fully differentiated educational environment, with an accelerated program of studies across all content areas.  This comprehensive instructional program is designed around the cognitive characteristics and learning styles of gifted children, providing a multidisciplinary curriculum incorporating focused reflection, interaction, and discussion.  In addition to mastery of basic content and skills (as measured by Virginia SOL assessments), students attending the full time center are expected to master advanced competencies across all content areas.  Opportunities are provided for extensive research, inquiry based learning, literary and scientific analysis, and project based learning to focus on topics of strength and interest.

      The Excel Art Program is designed to nurture and enrich the gifts of young artists in grades 3-8.  This program focuses on advanced, concentrated instruction in the principles, theory, and practice of visual art.  Students participating in Excel Art meet at the Spratley Gifted Center, once per week in grades 3-5 and on a variable schedule for grades 6-8.  Transportation is provided by Hampton City Schools.  Students are accepted into this program based on an adjudicated portfolio, superior potential in art skills and creativity, advanced achievement in art, and recommendations by art teachers.
       
      High school options offer a variety of advanced and high level courses to gifted students, including Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual enrollment classes.  Additional specialized courses are taught at the magnet schools.  Other options include the New Horizons Governor’s School for Science and Technology and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme.

     The New Horizons Governor’s School for Science and Technology offers a regional, specialized secondary program for gifted and high ability students in grades 11-12. Students attending New Horizons also attend their home high school for part of each school day.  Courses at the Governor’s School emphasize computer applications and hands-on laboratory experiences set in an inquiry based learning environment. Students attending New Horizons also have opportunities to participate in research and mentoring with scientists and practicing professionals in area hospitals, clinics, NASA Langley, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Jefferson Lab.   College credit may be earned for these weighted high school classes.  Interested students should refer to the Web site at http://www.nhgs.tec.va.us/governorsschool/ for application and prerequisite information.  A Pre-Admissions Information Series also provides additional information for prospective students entering ninth and tenth grade.

     The IB Programme is a rigorous, international college preparation program for motivated, academically focused juniors and seniors.  This program emphasizes skills necessary for college, including research, critical thinking, and writing.  Required subject fields include math, science, humanities, and the arts, as well as community service.  College credit may be earned for these classes, depending on successful completion of the culminating exams and extended essay.  This program is located at Hampton High School.  Students may apply for the IB Pre-Diploma Programme beginning in the eighth grade.  Students may also opt to attend the Primary Years Programme at Burbank Elementary and the Middle Years Programme at Lindsay Middle School as preparation for the high school program.
      
     Summer Residential Governor’s School programs are offered by the Virginia Department of Education for exceptional students going into grades 11 or 12.  The admission to these programs is highly competitive, but is a life-changing experience for the participants.  The Governor’s School programs include:
Humanities
Visual and Performing Arts
Math, Science, and Technology
Agriculture
Life Sciences and Medicine
Marine Sciences Mentorships at VIMS
Engineering Mentorships at NASA
Foreign Language Academies in French, Spanish, German, Latin, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese

• Virginia Association for the Gifted Conference

• Gifted Parent Workshops! - To be announced

We value input and assistance from our parents.  If you would like to serve on the Gifted Education Local Advisory Committee, please fill out the nomination form and return it to gifted@hampton.k12.va.us.

• The Gifted Education Parent Handbook (pdf)

• Click here for a flowchart of the Hampton City Schools gifted eligibility process.

Program Centers:
Spratley Gifted Center: http://sgc.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us
New Horizons Governor's School: http://www.nhgs.tec.va.us/governorsschool/

• Excel Art Curriculum Summary
• College Handbook - From Hampton City Schools to College...
• The Gifted Education Parent Handbook (pdf)
• Referral Form (all programs)
• Parent Consent Form (K-2)
• Parent Consent Form (3-12)
• Parent Consent Form (Excel Art)
• LAC Nomination Form
• Resource Curriculum Summary

How are students IDENTIFIED for gifted services?

Students in grades K-12 are identified through the use of multiple criteria. The criteria may include, but not be limited to: parent and teacher rating of student characteristics; grades; and ability and achievement test scores. During the identification process, additional consideration is given to students who may also receive special education services, those who participate in the ESL program or students attending Title I schools (these circumstances often put students at a disadvantage when demonstrating their exceptional potential in a school setting).

How do gifted children EXPRESS themselves?

While each child has unique characteristics, in general, gifted children and youth demonstrate exceptional reasoning, oral and written communication skills, and excellent problem solving abilities.  They often see ‘connections’ between seemingly unlike objects or concepts; they are curious about the ‘how and why’ of things; they appear to ‘know’ a large amount of information about topics beyond their years; they are generally voracious readers; they are highly creative; they may express a strong sense of empathy for others; and usually perform at an exceptional level in one or more subject areas (math, language arts or reading, social studies, science, art, or foreign language).

How can I have my child evaluated for gifted services?

Parents, teachers, school administrators, or students may refer a student to be evaluated for gifted services.  Referral forms may be obtained through the school counselors at each school.  There is no deadline for referrals.  The eligibility process may take up to 90 days.  Click here for more detailed information.

What forms do I need to submit??

A referral form is needed for each student being referred. Parents or guardians also need to submit a parent consent form and rating scale.  Teachers will submit a teacher rating scale.  For students who are not currently enrolled in Hampton City Schools, we will also need copies of standardized test scores and copies of the most recent report cards.

What does the eligibility process look like?
Click here to view a flow chart of the process.

How can my child attend Spratley Gifted Center?
The eligibility process for Spratley is the same process as for other gifted services.  You will need to submit a referral form and parent consent form to the gifted office or to your child’s school counselor.  Call the gifted office at 727-2160 (not the Spratley office) for more information.

What is the deadline for submitting referrals?
There is no deadline, but please remember that the eligibility process is quite lengthy, and can take up to 90 days.  We strongly recommend that referrals be made by March for consideration for placement for the following year.  Not only do we not have staff available for testing over the summer, but we do want to make sure we have enough gifted teachers where they are needed!

How do you use the CogAT tests?
We administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to every second grade student in Hampton City Schools.  We look at the scores for every student to determine if he or she should be referred for a full gifted evaluation.

How can I have my child evaluated for the Excel Art program?
Obtain a referral and art rating scale for parents from the school counselor, and ask your child’s art teacher to have your child complete a portfolio (five specific drawings, done in school).

How can I get more information?
Please call the gifted office at 757-727-2160, or email gifted@hampton.k12.va.us.

What happens after all forms are completed?

Once referred, the student’s information will be forwarded to this department’s office at the School Administration Center (SAC).  When the student’s information comes to SAC, a testing session may be scheduled (to provide additional information regarding the student’s ability).  When testing is complete, an identification and placement committee meeting will be held.  Parents will be notified of the decision reached by the committee.

What happens when transfer students enter HCS in the summer?

If possible, call our office (757/727-2160) prior to your arrival in Hampton, provide a mailing address, and a packet of information will be sent to you. Upon arrival in Hampton, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REGISTER/ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN THE ZONED SCHOOL TO WHICH HE/SHE IS ASSIGNED before coming to our office. Next, contact our office for an appointment with the department director. Bring copies of your child’s most recent report card, transcript indicating ability test scores, and if your child has been previously identified as gifted, bring formal evidence of the eligibility decision (which should include test scores and other data needed to make the decision in the previous school division). During the meeting, the director will discuss the process used in HCS to determine eligibility and the possible service options that may meet the student’s educational needs.

Parents of private school or home school students should call our office directly at 727-2160 for a referral package.

• Fall/Winter Gifted Newsletter (pdf)
  
  
• For students and teachers:
  Helpful hints for completing applications
  Helpful hints for writing letters of recommendation
  
  
• The Gifted Education Parent Handbook is now available electronically. Click here to access the handbook. Printed copies are available from the DAAE office.
  
  

The Governor’s School for Science and Technology provides a cohesive, innovative
science and mathematics program for students in grades 11 and 12. Choices of strands
include biological science, engineering, and scientific programming. The senior year
experience includes an individualized honors research and mentorship experience
with a professional in the field. Admission is highly competitive. Interested students
should consider applying to the Pre-Admissions Series in the eighth or ninth grade. For
an application and more information, visit the web site at http://www.nhgs.tec.va.us/governorsschool/.

Here is a short video describing the program.

Visit Website...

The following sites have additional information about gifted education and programs for gifted students: 
These sites are provided for informational purposes only and are not inclusive.
Hampton City Schools is not responsible for their content.

Virginia Department of Education, Gifted Education and Governor’s Schools:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Gifted/gifted.htm
Virginia Association for the Gifted:  http://www.vagifted.org
National Association for Gifted Children:  http://www.nagc.org
The Center for Gifted Education, The College of William and Mary:  http://www.cfge.wm.edu
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth:  http://www.cty.jhu.edu
SENG – Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted:  http://www.sengifted.org
Hoagies' Gifted Education Homepage: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - ADD-ON ENDORSEMENT

The Commonwealth of Virginia provides an add-on endorsement in gifted education for
teachers and administrators. Twelve hours of graduate level coursework in gifted education are
required. The four required courses may include:

Characteristics of Gifted Students

Social/Emotional Needs of Gifted Students

Curriculum Development for Gifted Students

Strategies/Differentiated Instruction for Gifted Learners

Assessment and Measurement for Gifted Students

Underserved Populations of Gifted Learners

Hampton City Schools offers gifted endorsement courses through Shenandoah University, on
a rotating basis (usually one class in the fall and one class in the spring.) For schedules and
enrollment information, please check the HCS website for professional development, and go to
the college courses link. The instructor is Dr. Jeanne Struck, at StruckJ@wjcc.k12.va.us.

Classes for gifted endorsements are also offered through local universities or online. Some
options are:
The College of William and Mary
James Madison University
University of Virginia Hampton Roads Center
Casenex (www.casenex.com)
University of Richmond
West Virginia University

Other universities may also offer additional online courses. It is not necessary to take all four
courses from the same institution.

The Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for gifted education is comprised of parents, teachers, administrators, and community members.  The purpose of the LAC is to advise the school board of the educational needs of all gifted students in the division.  The LAC meets at least three times yearly. Meetings for 2011-2012 are tentatively scheduled at 6:30 pm at the Spratley Gifted Center on Woodland Road on the following dates: September 22, October 27, January 19, March 15. The public is invited to attend.  For more information, please call the office at 727-2160 or email gifted@hampton.k12.va.us.

If you are interested in serving on this committee, or know of someone who would be interested, please complete the nomination form and return it to the DAAE office.

• Current Agenda