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.

Academic standards referenced in the Early Entrance Application:

• 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: Lori Finn, Lori.Finn@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 & 3	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.
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

The five primary components of the middle school gifted & talented program are:

1. Collaboration, Differentiation and Student Support
   The gifted & talented coordinators' primary responsibility is to support the needs of our gifted and talented learners by working with classroom teachers in all content areas to help facilitate differentiated/more challenging tiered learning opportunities. In addition to academic support, the gifted & talented coordinator may provide emotional, social or organizational support as needed.
2. Gifted & Talented Language Arts Clusters
   Students whose standardized test scores are in the 97th percentile or above on the fall reading MAP from 5th grade will be placed in cluster groupings within the regular language arts classroom. The gifted & talented coordinator at the middle school collaborates with the language arts teachers in helping to design differentiated/more challenging lessons and activities that are done within the language arts classes. These activities are designed to meet the needs of our identified cluster students in addition to students who exhibit a strong talent or skill in a given lesson or unit.
3. Gifted Seminars
   Students with a Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) composite score of 132 or above will be enrolled in gifted seminars. These seminars are separate from a student’s academic classes and are taught by the gifted & talented coordinator. Gifted seminar topics include:
   • Coping with Stress
   • Perfectionism
   • Relationships
   • Self-advocacy
   • Leadership Time
   • Management Organization
   • High school readiness

4. Accelerated Math
   Wayzata uses the results of several assessments to place students in the appropriate 6th grade math course. Based on results of standardized assessments, students may take an additional curriculum based assessment to determine readiness for an accelerated course. All students who participate this additional testing will receive a letter from their middle school administrator regarding course placement for 6th grade.

5. Optional Activities/Experiences

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. Amy Swenson, 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.