As part of District’s Long-Range Plan, Goal 1, Strategy 5, “By February 2018, the task force will develop a coherent and consistent program proposal that further addresses the needs of Gifted and High Achieving students grade K-6,”  a group of teachers and administrators reviewed the changes in our gifted program.   Through this process a Task Force was formed and it was determined that an outside consultant assist the District through this process.  Our programming is based off of these recommendations and aligns with our District Mission and Beliefs.

Levels of Service for Advanced Learners

The needs of our Advanced Learners are met through Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).  Each elementary building has an MTSS Facilitator and MTSS team to help assist in meeting the needs of each learner.  Students should receive differentiated instruction that keeps them on a path of continuous learning with the goal of one year’s growth for every year spent in school.   In order to achieve this level of growth, there are multiple tiers of support provided to students to ensure that instruction is appropriately differentiated and services are provided when indicated.

Levels of Service

Enrichment Services

• Enrichment services may be provided to students through the MTSS process in a variety of ways, both in-person and online.  The goal of these services is to foster student success while providing an appropriate challenge. Enrichment opportunities align with standards to access curriculum at an accelerated pace or in greater depth.  
  
  

Advanced Learner Program

• • This advanced learner magnet program, for students in grades 3-5, is intended for the top 5% of local (school) population.  

  • All students currently enrolled in third grade are screened for this program.   Scores from our benchmark assessments (fall, winter & spring) and the input of the MTSS team determines the top 5% of the school population.    

  • Individual needs of students drive the focus of the curriculum and instruction.

  • Pre-assessment is used to determine the appropriate kind of differentiation needed.

  • This program is currently housed at Olson Park Elementary School.

  • If you are not currently enrolled in the Harlem School District, but would like to have your child considered for the Advanced Learner Program, please contact Rebecca Logan, Director of Elementary Education, at (779) 771-5466.

Acceleration 

• • Acceleration is the practice of assigning a student to a higher grade level or content area than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities. 

  • Acceleration can occur within a single subject (content area), grade level, or early entrance to kindergarten or first grade. 

    • • Subject (content area) acceleration can occur within the student's grade level classroom or in a different classroom/grade level.  This is determined through the MTSS Process.  If  you have questions regarding subject acceleration,  contact your child's school Principal  (Find Contact Information Here)

      • Full grade acceleration, commonly referred to as grade-skipping,  is the most intensive level of service and requires additional testing to ensure its appropriateness for the student.  If  you have questions regarding full-grade acceleration,  contact your child's school Principal  (Find Contact Information Here)

        • • If a child is currently enrolled in grades K-5 and you would like to refer the student for full grade acceleration, please complete this paperwork (please note, parent permission is required).

      • If you believe a child qualifies for Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade, you may complete the appropriate paperwork below and return it by May 2 to be considered for the 2025-2026 school year: 

        • • Early Entrance to Kindergarten or First Grade  or Entrada Temprana a Kindergarten y 1er Grado  - Contact: Rebecca Logan, Director of Elementary Education (779-771-5466)

      • To see the Accelerated Placement Policy, please click here.