Curriculum Enrichment

The Academy is committed to the success of every one of its students. Our learning resource specialists work with children on an individual and small group basis to make sure all of their needs are met, from enrichment to reinforcement. The learning resources specialists also work with teachers to help design individualized programs to meet specific student needs.

Our Learning Enrichment Referral Process

Here at GPA, we use a version of the Renzulli model for identifying giftedness. This is a multidimensional model that enables us to include students who might not be eligible for services were we to rely solely upon standardized test results, IQ scores, or grades. Students with Full Scale IQ scores at or above 130 may be eligible. A student who scores high in a particular subtest area of the IQ test may be eligible. However, students identified by past or current teachers, administrators, or learning specialists as in need of enrichment independent of any test scores may also be eligible. This enables us to provide both our gifted learners and other high-ability learners with enrichment options as their needs are identified.

According to this model, anyone involved with the student - teacher, parent, administrator, counselor - can recommend that a student be considered for enrichment services by filling out a short Learning Enrichment Referral form describing the student's experiences and needs.

Next, our GPA Learning Specialists, Dr. Cheryl Blau and Ms. Denise Phelps, collaborate with the student's parents and teachers to better assess the student's needs. The student may be observed and/or interviewed during this process to gain further insight into his or her needs.

With input from other faculty with whom the student has worked as well as our school administrators, a decision is made as to what additional resources or learning experiences need to be made available to the student, or if the present program is meeting the needs of the child. The plan is discussed with the parents and, if approved, set into motion as quickly as possible.
Dr. Blau and Ms. Phelps engage in ongoing dialogue with the student, his or her parents, and teachers to ensure that the student’s needs and parents’ concerns are being addressed. Modifications are made as the student’s needs and the content of the curriculum change throughout the school year.

How We Provide Enrichment

We are drawing upon all of the current research in the field in designing and providing academically challenging experiences for our gifted and other high-ability learners here at GPA. These include curriculum compacting, clustering, pull-out programs, push-in programs, acceleration, team
teaching, modeling, and individualized independent study projects. We strive to provide our gifted
students with learning challenges and experiences that differ qualitatively from their regular, grade-level curriculum based upon their individual needs.

Support for Parents

Learning resource specialists Dr. Cheryl Blau and Denise Phelps are available by appointment to meet with parents to discuss concerns regarding their children. Our school psychologist, Sean Hogan-Downey A.C.S.W, is also available to offer guidance and support for parents and students.