Welcome to the West De Pere School District Talent Development page.

Mission:

The School District of West De Pere is dedicated to being the best educational community by supporting the maximum academic, creative and social-emotional growth of each student, enabling her/him to succeed in, and contribute positively to a continuously evolving world.

Talent Development Vision:

● Meet the academic, creative and social-emotional needs of high-achieving students

● Provide quality differentiated instruction for high-achieving students

● Provide quality academic activities for high-achieving students to work together

● Develop an effective and respected program

● Build community and parental involvement

Philosophy:

While all students have personal strengths, some have abilities and talents that go beyond the core curriculum. Such students often require access to differentiated or advanced curriculum in order to realize their potential contribution to themselves, the school and society. All children learn and experience success given time and opportunity, and the School District of West De Pere believes that all students, including those that are high-achieving, should be challenged and supported to reach their full potential.

Why Talent Development and not Gifted and Talented?

From Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction:

"Brain research confirms that intelligences are fluid and not fixed. We all know that children develop at different rates. Some children learn to walk at eight months, while others may not achieve this milestone until fourteen months. Yet, neither are guaranteed nor denied a place on the Olympic track team based on their early development. In the same respect, children learn to read, 'do math,' and match pitch at different ages and stages, neither guaranteeing nor denying graduating at the top of their class or acceptance into Julliard School of Music. The goal is to identify and address the educational needs of all students regardless of the trajectory of their development."