Jefferson County Schools
jeffcopublicschools.org/programs/gifted_talented

(Excerpted from Jeffco Gifted and Talented Parent Guide)
Jeffco GT Dept. Presentation: Navigating Middle School
Programming Options for Gifted Middle & High School Students
There are several options for programming for gifted students in Jeffco.  Approximately 80% of identified gifted students remain in their neighborhood schools.  Approximately 20% of gifted students attend a GT Center school.

Neighborhood School
Each high school in Jeffco offers unique programs and opportunities for advanced learners.  Please contact or visit your neighborhood middle or high school for further information.

GT Center School
GT Centers consist of a school-within-a-school model in which gifted students are clustered together.  Instruction involves acceleration, enrichment, and attention to affective (social-emotional) needs. Instruction is based on various formal and informal data to assure that the needs of the students are met.  Teachers are certified in Gifted and Talented and receive continuous support and training in gifted education.

GT High School Programs
Academic rigor combined with individualized programming and mentoring in fields of interest provides learners with differentiated opportunities to develop their potential and become self-directed, responsible citizens, leading productive, fulfilling lives. GT programming effectively employs research-based strategies, designed to increase student achievement and nurture autonomous learners.

Advanced Learning Plan
All identified gifted students receive an Advanced Learning Plan or ALP. Teachers use the ALP as a guide for enrichment, setting goals, and helping gifted students grow in their strength areas.  Individual schools may also have special programs and strategies for GT enrichment.
​Jeffco GT Dept. presentation: Understanding the ALP
ALPs in Jefferson County
​Colorado Dept. of Education Advanced Learning Plans

Application
There is an application process that occurs twice a year (fall and spring) for admittance to GT Center for the coming school year.  Students will not be admitted to GT Center without application.  If a student is in a GT Center for elementary school, he or she will automatically be accepted for GT Center placement in middle school.

Acceleration
Acceleration is the advancement of students that places them ahead of the regular school curriculum.  There are many forms of acceleration, the most common of which include single subject acceleration and grade skipping.  Contact your school or GT Resource teacher to learn more.

Online Courses Through Jeffco Virtual Academy (JVA)
Middle School Grades 6 - 8
Jeffco Public Schools offers tuition-free enrollment to 6th-8th grade Colorado residents.  Full-time enrollment is 4 or more courses. Part-time enrollment is 1-3 courses. Some schools partner with JVA in a group enrollment and are considered part-time students. Schools manage the enrollment for these students.

• Students come to campus on Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Coursework is accessed through Jeffco Schoology and Edgenuity
• If enrolled in another district, charter or private school, tuition costs may apply - contact the JVA office for more information

High School Grades 9-12
Full-time: A traditional program delivered primarily online with optional, and possibly required, time on campus working directly with teachers.  Full-time enrollment is 4 or more courses. 

Part-time: An online program where students attend another Jeffco school full-time.  Part-time enrollment is 1-3 courses. ​Part-time students are not required to come to campus. In addition to our normal class offerings, many families are attracted to these part-time options. 

• Concurrent Enrollment - Concurrent enrollment courses are taught by Jeffco Virtual Academy teachers who are adjunct teachers with Red Rocks Community College. Students earn college credit for these courses.  
  Jeffco Postsecondary Opportunities
  Colorado Dept. of Education Concurrent Enrollment information
• Outdoor Lab Interns - Students who intern at Outdoor Lab remain full-time at their home school and enroll at JVA part-time in order to complete their classes online while at Outdoor Lab.

JEFFCO GT WEBSITE

Gifted Center Schools
Elementary - Coronado, Devinney, Hackberry Hill, Kendrick Lakes, Kyffin, Parmalee, Sheridan Greens, Stevens, Westridge
Middle - Creighton, Evergreen, Everitt, Ken Caryl, North Arvada, West Jefferson
High - Arvada, Wheat Ridge

Jeffco Links
Application & Testing Info
Assessments & Body of Evidence
Center School Map
Student Progression Flow Chart
2020-21 GT Resource Teachers & Counselors

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Transition Resources
Transition resources for parents (Edutopia)
Transitioning from elementary to middle school (Davidson Institute)
Middle school transition tips for parents (Scholastic)

Online Resources
ALEKS online learning
Kahn Academy online learning
Crash Course online learning
Davidson Institute Guidebook for Early College Entrance

Middle School Math 
Math acceleration in middle school is essential to accessing Advanced Placement (AP) science courses in high school.  Optimally, Algebra 1 in seventh grade and Geometry in eighth grade will put your student in the strongest position for advanced science in high school

Working With Teachers & Parents

• ​Tips for Working With Parents of Gifted Students (Davidson Institute)
• Building Parent-Teacher Relationships (Reading Rockets)
• Partner With Your Child's School (Understood.org)​

As a GT Parent...

Never accept:

• "I don't believe in differentiation".
• "She's so smart...she'll be fine"
• " I'll just give her extra work to keep her busy"
• "She's so far ahead, she can teach the other kids"

Always remember:

• No one will ever advocate for your kid like you will
• Keep knocking on doors until your knuckles bleed
• Make sure your kid knows you have her back

                                   - JAGC Board

Tips for High School

Acceleration
There are several reasons to accelerate students in high school.  First, to keep them engaged in school rather than bored and looking for other outlets for their time and energy.   Second, if they plan to attend college it will help prepare them for college level work loads.  Third, your student might be able to earn college credit while in high school through concurrent enrollment or taking college classes for high school credit, AP or IB courses, Jeffco Virtual Academy or MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) any of which could engage your student and save money on college tuition and fees.  Before committing to a high school find out if the principal has previously supported these opportunities outside his/her "four walls" for advanced students. 

For detail on the downside of concurrent enrollment grades vs pass/fail, click here.
For a parent's perspective on math acceleration, click here.
For Jeffco Board level information regarding concurrent enrollment in Jeffco, click here. 

Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)?
Excerpted from  What's Better for You, IB or AP
Posted by Halle Edwards | Apr 1, 2015 2:30:00 PM
The Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are both high school programs that offer college-level courses and the opportunity to earn college credit.

Key Differences
The AP program was developed in the US to help high school students prepare for college by taking advanced courses, with no set program of courses. Students could take just one or even a dozen AP classes, depending on their school, schedule, and goals.  In contrast, IB was developed in Switzerland to be an internationally recognized diploma. To earn the diploma, you have to take a certain amount of courses in a range of subjects. It is possible to just take a few IBs without earning the diploma, but IB was developed to be a set program of courses.

Program Goals
The programs have different goals, as well. IB has more emphasis on writing and developing critical thinking skills – and not just on the exams themselves. The IB diploma also requires the extended essay, a long, college-style research paper. The IB program also has extracurricular requirements.  In contrast, the AP is program focused on teaching students specific content and testing their knowledge on the exams. There is more multiple-choice and emphasis on meeting certain content goals. (Read all the detail by clicking here.)

The PSAT - Fall of 11th Grade
Excerpted from One Day Matters, by Ginny Riley
So what’s the big deal?  Well, The National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP) is a competition to recognize and honor academically talented students.  The PSAT is taken in a student’s junior year and serves as the initial screening for the NMSP competition. Each year, the Corporation recognizes, approximately, 50,000 students as scholars.  Of those 50,000, 34,000 students will be Commended Students.  The remaining 16,000 students (or less than 1% of students taking the test) become Semi-Finalists and are eligible to compete for NMSP scholarships.

Why does this matter?   When your student takes the PSAT, they are asked if they would like to make their information available to colleges.  Colleges regularly use the College Board, which administers the PSAT and SAT, to screen students who score well to identify potential applicants. Whether students are Commended Students, Semi-Finalists, or Finalists, colleges take these awards into consideration for admission, scholarship and Honors Program acceptance. (Read all the detail by clicking here.)

Test Prep & Testing (PSAT/SAT/ACT)
Effective test prep for the PSAT, ACT and SAT has been proven to improve students’ scores, and might just help your student reach the goals he or she has been striving for. But not all test prep is alike. Make sure the prep you choose has independent results to back up claims of its effectiveness. And, remember, quality test prep does not have to cost thousands of dollars or take weeks of your student’s time. A self-starter can prep on their own with online programs or study books.  A student that performs best in a classroom can pursue a focused classroom type program that emphasizes strategies.

Also, remember the SAT and ACT can be taken multiple times in order to improve a test score, but be prepared to manage what scores are released to colleges with the individual  testing companies.

Learn more about SAT and PSAT in Jeffco

College Search
Start the search early, second semester sophomore year, so your student is familiar with the testing requirements for their chosen schools, has built in time to retest if necessary and is aware of application dates.  For instance, some schools close applications mid October of a student's senior year.  Many incoming freshman merit scholarship applications close in December of senior year.

Resources/tutors
ALEKS online learning
Kahn Academy online learning
Colorado School of Mines (math & science)
Crash Course online learning

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Science/Math Pathway
When to take Physics & Chemistry?
Most high schools promote physics for seniors  (calculus is a pre-req), but most colleges ask their freshman to take chemistry.  On campus it is known as "killer chem" because of the course & lab combination that weeds many kids out of the sciences and engineering.  Think about taking chemistry as a high school senior so it is fresh in your mind if you are planning to attend college.

High School Math Progression
Freshman - Algebra II
Sophomore - Pre-Calc/Trig
Junior - AP Calc AB*
Senior - AP Calc BC*

High School Science Progression
Freshman - Misc. Science
Sophomore -  AP Biology
Junior - AP Physics
Senior - AP Chemistry

*If you are capable of pushing into Calc 3 & 4, it will probably be online in Jeffco. Taking courses at a local college may also be an option.  (Don't forget that School of Mines students provide tutoring services for high level math for a fee.)

AP/IB History/Lit and Reading (WPM)
Words per minute (WPM).  As high schools offer more college level courses consider providing your student support in reading.  For more detail click here.​

Self Managed Test Prep
Kahn Academy
College Board (PSAT & SAT)
American College Testing (ACT)

SAT Subject Testing
During soph./junior year, identify your student's college choices and research the test requirements in order to:
a) Determine if a subject test is necessary (Usually the Ivies and competitive tech colleges)
b) Sign up for the subject test immediately following completion of the course so the information is fresh in the student's mind.