The first opportunity for identification into ELP is in the fall of fifth grade, and students are re-evaluated annually.  The focus of the ELP class is to support gifted learners through appropriate, relevant classroom activities and individual projects. Support is also provided for the social-emotional well being of gifted students. ELP teachers provide students feedback and grades throughout the year according to the district's ELP standards (elementary standards; secondary standards)

5th and 6th Grades

Elementary students participate in ELP classes that meet during the school day at times pre-arranged with the classroom teachers.    Students spend the fall working on thinking skills, the meaning of giftedness, and other topics of interest.   The winter and spring are spent working on an individual research project.  Students select the topic and perform the research, culminating in an oral presentation with visual display.  

7th and 8th Grades

Seventh and eighth grade ELP students are in mixed-grade level classes for ELP. Classes meet every other day, with the possibility of students taking a rotating class when there is not time within their school day. Teachers utilize a two-year curriculum, described below:

Year 1 Curriculum: Game creation, Images of Greatness, Crime Scene Investigation, ELP Extravaganza

Year 2 Curriculum: Destination Imagination, Service learning, Mock Trial, ELP Extravaganza

9th Grade

Ninth grade ELP classes meet every other day. Similar to eighth grade, students have the opportunity to take the class as a rotating class when there is not time within their school day.

Curriculum: Short film, College/Career, Philosophy, American Dream, ELP Extravaganza

10th Grade

Tenth grade ELP classes meet every other day, either during the school day or as an early-bird class option. 

Curriculum: Student-centered project based learning

11th-12th Grade

Eleventh and twelfth grade ELP is offered as an independent study. Students create an independent research proposal and carry out the research throughout each quarter with the guidance of the ELP teacher.