Gifted Services

 Welcome to our school's gifted education website, a comprehensive hub that supports parents, educators, and students by providing clear information, valuable resources, and meaningful opportunities for growth. This site offers an overview of our gifted identification process, program goals, service models, and enrichment opportunities, along with practical tools, instructional strategies, and social-emotional supports to help gifted learners thrive academically and personally. Families will find guidance on nurturing strengths at home, understanding the unique needs of gifted and twice-exceptional students, and accessing community and academic resources, while educators can explore instructional ideas, curriculum extensions, professional learning materials, and collaborative tools to enhance classroom experiences. Together, we are committed to fostering curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning, and we invite you to explore, connect, and partner with us as we support every gifted learner in reaching their full potential.

Newton Local Schools proudly offers a comprehensive, dynamic gifted education program for students in grades 3–12, designed to nurture exceptional potential and promote advanced academic growth. Gifted services begin in third grade following achievement of qualifying scores on state-approved assessments, with newly identified students beginning services the same school year. 

Students identified with superior cognitive ability receive enriched instruction in both English Language Arts and mathematics, while those identified in creative thinking are served through advanced English Language Arts programming. Subject-area identified students receive targeted services within their specific disciplines. Gifted learners are strategically clustered in groups of three or more within the general education classroom whenever possible to foster intellectual collaboration, meaningful peer interaction, and differentiated instruction. 

General education teachers delivering gifted services engage in ongoing professional development focused on advanced instructional strategies, differentiation, and meeting the unique needs of high-ability learners. Written Education Plans are collaboratively developed and implemented by educators and the Gifted Supervisor to ensure individualized academic goals and instructional supports. 

Eighth-grade students enrolled in Algebra I receive annually updated Acceleration Plans, developed in partnership with the Gifted Supervisor and the teacher of record, with Algebra I serving as the formal service setting for advanced mathematics. At the secondary level, students may select from a wide range of Ohio Department of Education-approved advanced coursework, including College Credit Plus, Advanced Placement, and Honors classes, providing rigorous academic pathways aligned with student strengths and aspirations. 

For students enrolled in courses without advanced-level alternatives, cluster grouping ensures continued access to appropriately challenging instruction. Written Education Plans for College Credit Plus students are collaboratively developed by the gifted supervisor and school counselor using course syllabi to guide academic goal-setting and successful course completion, reflecting Newton Local Schools’ commitment to excellence, equity, and individualized learning opportunities for gifted students.

 “Giftedness is not a label of achievement but a promise of possibility.”