Gifted & Talented

According to Minnesota law, children who are five years old by September 1 of any given year are eligible to begin kindergarten. Children who are six years old by September 1 of any given year are eligible to begin first grade. However, Wayzata Public Schools offers an early entrance evaluation option for kindergarten and first grade for children who live within the school district at the time of application and whose birthday falls between September 2 and October 15. Children who will reach the age of five by October 15 may be considered for kindergarten and those turning six by October 15 may be considered for first grade. Children who demonstrate intellectual ability, academic achievement and social/emotional development well-advanced for their age may be considered for early entrance.

If you would like your child to be considered for early entrance, please download an application. The application includes a letter explaining the Early Entrance Evaluation process.

The academic standards referenced in the Early Entrance Application are available below:

• Minnesota English Language Arts Standards – Kindergarten
• Minnesota English Language Arts Standards – Grade 1

• Minnesota Math Standards – Kindergarten
• Minnesota Math Standards – Grade 1

Applications will be accepted through May 1. District staff will evaluate eligible students from mid-May through early-June and will make a decision by June 30. Direct questions to Demae DeRocher at Demae.DeRocher@wayzataschools.org or 763-745-6016.

Our program offers challenging learning opportunities primarily in the area of Language Arts and/or Math to students who demonstrate outstanding academic ability. Students served by our program exhibit skills and understanding as measured by exceptionally high test scores and unique needs. Our students whose general ability and subject area achievement are at the top of the district will receive services. Since children grow and change, yearly they are assessed to determine current needs.

Our program uses a comprehensive identification process, which includes two or more standardized assessment measures.

The measures include:

1. The CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
2. FastBridge Achievement tests in reading (aReading) and math (aMath)

You can find your child's FastBridge and CogAT results in Skyward Family Access under "Test Results".

If you have any questions about services, please contact your school's Gifted and Talented teacher.

• Birchview: Danielle Miller, Danielle.Miller@wayzataschools.org
• Gleason Lake: Carolyn Sund, Carolyn.Sund@wayzataschools.org
• Greenwood: Erin Bloom, Erin.Bloom@wayzataschools.org
• Kimberly Lane: Sue Bradsher, Sue.Bradsher@wayzataschools.org
• Meadow Ridge: Chip Brofford, Chip.Brofford@wayzataschools.org
• North Woods: Angela Henry, Angela.Henry@wayzataschools.org
• Oakwood: Darren Augustine, Darren.Augustine@wayzataschools.org
• Plymouth Creek: Stephanie Janish, Stephanie.Janish@wayzataschools.org
• Sunset Hill: Michele Hull, Michele.Hull@wayzataschools.org

Fall Gifted & Talented Identification Criteria

Grade	Reading	Math
2	aReading, previous year benchmark tests, and current classroom assessment. Cut scores determined by building	aMath, previous year Bridges unit tests, and current classroom assessment. Cut scores determined by building.
3	CogAT Screener 125 or higher and aReading Scaled Score 529 or higher	CogAT Screener 125 or higher and aMath Scaled Score 218 or higher
4	CogAT Verbal Score 132 or higher or CogAT Verbal Score 128 or higher and aReading Scaled Score 542 or higher	CogAT Quantitative & Non-verbal Score average 135 or higher or CogAT Quantitative & Non-verbal Score average 130 or higher and aMath Scaled Score 224 or higher
5	CogAT Verbal Score 132 or higher or CogAT Verbal Score 128 or higher and aReading Scaled Score 552 or higher	CogAT Quantitative & Non-verbal Score average 135 or higher or CogAT Quantitative & Non-verbal Score average 130 or higher and aMath Scaled Score 234 or higher

The middle level Gifted & Talented coordinators provide or facilitate a variety of experiences to help meet the needs of high ability/high achieving students. Some of these experiences are available to all students while other experiences are for those who meet qualifying criteria.

If you have any questions about services, please contact your school's Gifted & Talented coordinator.

• Central Middle School: Nichole Osterholt, Nichole.Osterholt@wayzataschools.org
• East Middle School: Kathy Simson, Kathy.Simson@wayzataschools.org
• West Middle School: Clarice Jorenby, Clarice.Jorenby@wayzataschools.org

Our program is designed to meet the advanced learning needs of gifted and talented students. Developing a class schedule to appropriately challenge a student and prepare the student for future educational goals requires careful planning. Sue Iverson, Gifted & Talented coordinator, is available to help students and/or parents create an academic pathway for the high school years. In addition to offering schedule guidance, the Gifted & Talented program also offers a variety of academic co-curricular activities such as 3-2-1 and curricular Olympiads, in addition to opportunities for research through Honors Mentor Connection or summer enrichment programs.

If you have any questions about services, please contact Amy Swenson at Amy.Swenson@wayzataschools.org.

* Qualifying criteria may apply to competitions.

Activities/experiences for within the regular school day:

• American Mathematics Competition *
• Continental Math League competitions
• Knowledge Master Open
• National Geographic Bee
• Spelling Bee
• Young Authors Conference *

Optional activities/experiences available to all students outside the school day:

• Destination Imagination (parent coach required, run through Community Education)
• Future Problem Solving
• First Lego League *
• Honors Reading Program
• Junior High Math League
• Math Counts*
• Math Masters (6th grade only) *
• Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (7th and 8th grade only) *
• Science Bowl *
• Young Scientist Roundtable