Columbus Gifted Academy

Mission Statement:

Active Learners.  Innovative Thinkers.  Compassionate Leaders.

Purpose:
To engage, enrich, and empower gifted learners through unique, rigorous, self-directed educational experiences in a collaborative learning environment that supports the whole child within and beyond the classroom.

Vision: 

Build a world-class program where each gifted learner feels safe being themselves ad learning at their own pace at all times.  

Summary:
The Columbus Gifted Academy is a self-contained gifted program located in the heart of the Columbus, Ohio, Short North Arts District. It is a collection of self-contained, gifted classrooms for students identified as gifted in superior cognitive ability or reading and math in Grades 3 through 8. The program offers students the opportunity to participate in accelerated curricular opportunities throughout the school day. Classes of up to 20 elementary or 25 middle school students are taught by full-time teachers who possess a special license to teach gifted students. Our team of educators includes:

• Fully endorsed, gifted education staff teaching core classes
• Full-time special education teacher with background in twice exceptional gifted learners
• Full-time staff in arts, PE, vocal and instrumental music

Curriculum:
Reading, math, language arts, science, social studies, art, music, and physical education are taught through an integrated, problem-based curriculum with drama embedded throughout all grade levels with the support of our community partners. Mathematics and language arts are taught in a mastery format allowing students to progress through advanced levels of content at their own pace. Sandra Kaplan’s depth and complexity framework is integrated in standards-based curriculum to ensure appropriate rigor for the gifted learner. Supplemental language arts units developed by the College of William and Mary and supplemental math units from Kendall Hunt’s Mentoring Mathematical Minds program provide additional challenge for students.  While we are not able to offer a foreign language course at this time, there will be opportunities for students to engage in independent studies, and students may elect to pursue foreign language independently.

Community Partners:

Enrichment Opportunities:
We have a wide array of curricular enrichment to extend student interests and learning opportunities.
• Weekly enrichment periods for student-selected clubs and activities, such as:

o Chess
o Art Club
o Robotics

o Mock Trial 

o Debate 

o Math Club
o Intramural Sports
o Newspaper
o Academic support or Independent study

• Weekly Power Hour allows students to pursue individual interests through independent study.
• Co-curricular programs in partnership with community sponsors may include, but are not limited to:

o JA Biztown
o 4th Grade Camp
o 7/8th Grade Trip
o Invention Convention
o Ohio History Day

• Students in Grades 7 & 8 may participate in interscholastic sports with their home school.

Parent Involvement:
We have a large and active Parent Teacher Organization. Visit their Facebook page under the name Columbus Gifted Academy PTO or their website at www.columbusgiftedacademy.com and sign up for their mailing list.  The district also has a gifted parent organization called Columbus PACE. For more information, visit www.columbuspace.org or visit their Facebook page.

Dress Code:
We follow the Superintendent’s Dress Code Policy with clothing that does not detract from the educational atmosphere. For more information, click here.