The vision of the Polk County Schools AIG Program is to nurture advanced/gifted potential and open doors of opportunity for students (K-12) by fostering inquiry and a growth mindset, promoting durable skills, and encouraging rigorous differentiated teaching and learning environments that allow students to excel in intellectual, academic, and personal pursuits. In alignment with this vision, the mission of Polk County Schools, in partnership with parents and the community, is to prepare and inspire each student to be a literate, responsible, and productive member of a diverse society who believes learning is a lifelong process. Together, these commitments ensure that every student is seen as uniquely capable and deserves to be challenged and engaged in relevant, rigorous, and meaningful learning each day, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous growth and community responsibility. 

Kindergarten-Fifth Grade (K-5)

K-5 Advanced Learning/AIG services are provided by classroom teachers with consultation, coaching, resource development, support and professional development from the curriculum and instruction staff and the AIGT. The AIG specialist 

• assists classroom teachers in strategies to compact, differentiate and front-load both skill work and new content, extend reading instruction, and facilitate independent study by academically advanced students,

• provides Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) curriculum resources and support for teachers to help identify and develop intellectual talent in all students. 

Teachers use district and state-approved testing, teacher-designed tests, exit tickets, journaling, and classroom climate activities to decide on the programming they will offer to talent development and/or identified students. Teachers use a variety of models that allow them to provide enrichment and differentiation, including flexible groups, learning centers, cooperative learning groups, choice boards, station rotation and Paideia seminar experiences. 

Schools may elect to cluster group advanced students, intentionally placing groups of high ability students in a mixed ability classroom. The AIG specialist consults with teachers about any student who needs subject or grade acceleration and guides the process. 

Services for Advanced Learners in grades 3-5 include and build on K-2 services. Students who have been identified for talent development and formal AIG identification may be offered services from an AIG specialist. Students complete interest inventories and writing samples to supplement observations, teacher recommendations and assessment data, which the AIG specialists use to design learning experiences for both academic and intellectual growth. Students who achieve a Level 5 on their EOGs receive advanced learning opportunities. 

Specialist services may be part of a regular academic block or take place during intervention blocks. Services might include the following, based on student identification area and strengths: 

• Extension of the content and skills in the ELA curriculum (currently Arts and Letters), content/skill development using a combination of PROBES, ZIGZAGS, Book Clubs, Depth and Complexity strategies, etc.

• Project-based learning activities. Projects have included hiking/nature trails, food and pollinator gardens, school campus signage, Arbor Day events, board-game development, citizen science, etc.

• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) activities, for example Engineering is Elementary curriculum, Lego Robotics, Stock Market Game, etc. 

• Game-based learning (card and board games) 

• Logic activities including Beast Academy math and PETS (Primary Education Thinking Skills) curriculum materials 

• “Portrait of a Graduate” skill development including communication, conflict resolution, reasonable goal-setting, executive functioning skills, leadership development, problem-solving, and creative thinking. 

All teachers, specialists, and school counselors are provided access to their students' Differentiated Education Plans (DEPs) DEP - Elementary or Individual Differentiated Education Plans (IDEPs). 

6-8 Polk County Middle School

In grades 6-8, advanced classes are available to students performing at high academic levels.

Math: Advanced math enrollment follows SENATE BILL 500, where students scoring at the highest academic level on the most recent EOG/EOC are auto-enrolled in the advanced course for the next mathematics course. A student in seventh grade scoring a Level 5 on the seventh grade mathematics end-of-grade test is auto-enrolled in a high school level mathematics course in eighth grade.

ELA: Advanced ELA is offered at each grade level based on previous academic performance.

Identified students who are not currently performing at high academic levels are actively encouraged to participate in other opportunities to develop their leadership and talents and to explore their interests. 

• Wheel Classes: May include band/choral, STEAM, life skills, foreign language, etc. 

• Clubs and organizations: May include afterschool, athletics, band, Bridge Building, FCA, Flag Corp, New Century Scholars, recycling, Science Olympiad, Trailblazers, Unified Champions, Yearbook, etc.

9-12 Polk County High School/Early College

In grades 9-12 the AIG program is facilitated by the PCHS academic specialist advisor for AIG students and the Early College advisor. These schools offer a range of honors, Advanced Placement and college courses to students in grades 9-12. Please contact the schools for more information. Honors/AP/College Classes 

The high school DEP (Differentiated Education Plan) is a 4-year academic plan designed to help students meet their high school and post-secondary goals. Course options within students’ subject of identified strength are discussed, and students achieving at the highest level on mathematics EOC tests are auto-enrolled in the next advanced mathematics course. Opportunities for parents and students to revisit the schedule are provided each semester. Students are encouraged to participate in opportunities to develop their leadership and talents and to explore their interests. Clubs, Camps and Enrichment