The Ohio Department of Education defines “gifted” as a student who performs or shows potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment (ORC, Sec. 3324.01).

We recognize that the unique characteristics of gifted children necessitate differentiated programming. Special characteristics may include precocious insightfulness, uniqueness of response, and the ability to integrate several levels of thinking and reasoning.

The district provides differentiated learning experiences for those children identified for gifted education services. These experiences may include the provision for quality time spent with peers of similar interests and abilities; opportunities for involvement in clubs, organizations, enrichment groups and activities; and social and emotional support, whole class lessons, and small group work.

• Reading identified students are served by the regular classroom teachers in grades 2-5 daily through a leveled literacy reading program

• Math identified students in grades 2 and 3 are served by regular classroom teachers with enrichments and extensions

• Math identified students in grade 4 are served in a 4^th grade enriched math program taught by a licensed GIS

• Math identified students in grade 5 are served by a licensed GIS in a accelerated 6^th grade curriculum

• Superior Cognitive students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are served in districtwide monthly. 

• Middle School Challenge Reading and Language Arts classes are taught by a licensed Gifted Intervention Specialist and may only serve identified gifted students.  The program serves students who are identified as gifted in Superior Cognitive (SC) and the language arts Specific Academic content area of reading.

• Advanced Placement (AP), Honors Classes, and dual enrollment courses from Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) are also available to high achieving high school students.  Current AP offerings include: Calculus, Statistics, European History, Government, English grade 11, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, and Spanish.  KAP courses follow the Kenyon College syllabus, use the college text and provide college credit.  Current KAP offerings include courses in American History, Chemistry, Digital Imaging, English, French, Spanish, and Statistics.  COTC courses follow the COTC syllabus, use the college text and provide college credit. Current courses include: Advanced Composition, Human Physiology, Pre-Calculus, and Speech.  Honors classes are offered in pre-Calculus, Geometry, Algebra II, English 9 and English 10.

• There are no specific programs for students identified as creative thinkers (grades K-12).    Social Studies, Science and the Visual Arts are not served in grades K through 8.  General education teachers provide enrichment activities for high ability students.   These activities are helpful to gifted students but may not count as direct gifted services by the Ohio Department of Education.

• The Mount Vernon City Schools has an adopted Acceleration Policy which addresses Early Entrance and Single and Whole Grade Acceleration.  An Acceleration Team is convened whenever a student is considered for acceleration.   The Board adopted policy is a separate document.

• Access to gifted services is provided equally to eligible students through invitation.  If the student meets the above noted eligibility requirements for the service, the student is not denied access to the service.

• Students in grades 5 through 8 may withdraw from service through written notification.  Withdrawal forms are available from the office of the gifted coordinator.  If a student chooses to withdraw from service once the school year or service is underway, the withdrawal is for the remainder of the year.  Students who withdraw from a “for credit” course are subject to the same consequences as any student who withdraws from a class.

• Parents have the right to appeal any decision about the results of any screening procedure or the scheduling of children for assessment, or the placement of a student in any program for the receipt of services by contacting the building principal or the Gifted Coordinator.

• Written Education Plans will include:

1. Description of services to be provided
2. Goals for the students for each service to be provided
3. Methods for evaluating  progress toward goals specified
4. Method and schedule for reporting progress to parents 
5. Staff responsible for ensuring delivery of each service prescribed
6. Policies regarding waiver of assignments and rescheduling of test
7. Deadline for next review of WEP

Outside Gifted Education data will be accepted for identification and service provided it is from testing performed is less than 24 months old, occurred when the student was at least in second grade, and used a nationally normed testing instrument from the Ohio Department of Education’s Approved List for Gifted Identification. 

For information on submitting outside testing data, contact Matthew Dill, Director of Technology and Gifted Education at [email protected].

1. Spelling Bee for Grades 5-8
2. All County Honors Band
3. Summer Honors Institutes at Ohio Northern University
4. Youth Enrichment Series Concerts & MTVarts Productions for Grades K-7
5. The Kenyon Mentor & Leadership Programs