Kinard GT Program Site Services

Kinard Gifted and Talented Mission

With approximately one third of the student population in gifted and talented education (currently 247 students), Kinard has a thriving GT Program where students are authentically engaged in learning experiences to achieve their Achievement (academic) and Affective (skills) ALP goals. Kinard is dedicated to ensuring high levels of learning for all students and fosters a safe community where staff are responsive to the individual and exceptional needs of students. Kinard’s GT Site Coordinator analyzes all academic data for incoming and newly enrolled students and establishes fidelity in the identification process by recognizing all factors including culturally, linguistically diverse and twice-exceptional characteristics. 

Gifted and Talented Site Coordinator

Wendi Grigg  |  GT Site Coordinator, Identification, ALPs

Academic Support Mentor

Give Next Program Teacher

 wgrigg@psdschools.org  

GT Office: 970-488-5447 

Programming Opportunities for Gifted Learners

Sixth through eighth graders who meet the academic qualifications have opportunities for accelerated math courses for high school credit, and all students are also offered world language courses (high school credit for 1B & 2). Seventh and eighth graders can apply for honors courses in English, Science, Social Studies, Select Choirs, Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra. Kinard’s Gifted and Talented Program focuses on development of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. Students with ALPs explore areas of interest through inquiry projects, career mentorship, college visits, service learning, philanthropy, innovation in technology and engineering, performing and visual arts, content extensions and ability grouping.

Kinard’s GT Program Overview

• Encompasses 247 students identified for Gifted and Talented with Advanced Learning Plans.

• Establishes fidelity in the identification process by recognizing all essential factors including culturally, linguistically diverse and twice-exceptional characteristics.

• Develops authentic ALPs aligned to Colorado gifted and talented state standards with goal choice enrichment options that inspire and challenge students to achieve at high levels.

• Focuses on strength-based approaches to advance students’ knowledge and skills. 

• Provides learning experiences beyond the classroom with real world connections.

• Connects students with similar interests through a wide variety of enrichment opportunities. 

• Provides extensions for deeper inquiry into the Core Knowledge curriculum.

• Empowers students’ personal and future success through the Colorado Essential Skills Standards. 

Advanced Learning Plan Process

Students in Kinard's GT Program collaborate with staff, teachers, and parents to explore and choose their Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) goals which are newly created in the fall of each year. Through a student-driven process,  learners in the Kinard GT Program move from engagement to ownership as they grow their exceptional abilities through their ALP goals. With teacher input for requisite skills, students decide which academic skill they most need to grow in for their GT identified area(s) of strength inside their content course(s), (i.e. Reading ID = choose from a set of skills to grow in English class). The ALP Goals are selected through Xello as a blended ALP / ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) which supports transparency and access to ALPs for parents/legal guardians, teachers and students throughout the school year with being able to easily view individual progress of personalized ALP goals including the student’s individual short term and long term career planning. The student's selected academic skill(s) are the base for the Achievement Goal. Additionally, there are many enrichment options that students can add on to their Achievement Goal as they seek a pathway that is authentic and inspiring in pursuit of a personal interest, a compelling inquiry, a special challenge or a supplement to their educational opportunities provided by the Core Knowledge curriculum. Throughout the year, students meet with their GT Coordinator and specific academic and enrichment teachers for their Achievement Goal skill growth and academic enrichment options. Academic skill progress connected to the student's GT identification area(s) are tracked and managed in the student's content course(s).  The Achievement Goal enrichment options create daily, weekly or monthly opportunities for students to actively participate with their teacher or GT Coordinator and their group in collaborative student-centered learning.

With equal importance, a focus is placed on student development and growth in the standards Colorado Essential Skills. These required skills to teach in Colorado are often referred to as post-secondary, social-emotional and workforce ready skills that each individual needs to acquire with expertise for participation as an active citizen. The Colorado Essential Skills are the focus for the Affective Goal. Each year, the process to select an Affective Goal begins with the students meeting with the GT Coordinator to review ten Essential skills identified as most important for middle schoolers with exceptional abilities.  Using a rubric and on a linear scale, students are guided to self-assess their confidence and ability with each skill. Students then select one of the Skills as a focus to grow in preparation towards graduation and workforce readiness. This is the launch point for the Affective Goal that is practiced both in and out of the school day. During the year, students have opportunities to reflect and assess their goal growth in addition to the feedback they receive from their teachers.  

Enrichment Opportunities During the School Day

Accelerated math courses for high school credit

Art: visual, pottery/sculpture 

Creative Foods (sewing and cooking) 

Drama ELO

Entrepreneurship

Global Leadership

Honors courses in English, science and social studies

Kinard CARES

Kinard Service Learning ELO

Lego Robotics

Music: Advanced Choir, Band and Orchestra

Mustang Media/Tech 

Science Adventures

Social Justice Service Learning ELO

Tech/Engineering: 21st Cent.; App design; 3D modeling; Programming

WEB Program

World Language courses 

Yearbook

Enrichment Opportunities Before or After the School Day

Athletics

Chess Club

Computer Club

Fitness Club

Give Next Philanthropy

Math Counts

NaNoWriMo Novel Writing Club

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)

Science Fair Club 

Science Olympiad

Student-led Clubs

Theatre Club

Affective Programming for Students in Kinard GT

At Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, students are empowered to achieve personal and academic growth, exploration for college and career readiness, and are supported in their general wellness and mental health through a team approach led by Kinard’s school counselors, and in collaboration with teachers and the Kinard GT Program. The Kinard GT Program specifically develops capacity through aligning the ALP Affective Goal choices to the Colorado Essential Skills state standards. Students and parents are provided with the Essential Skills from CDE to discuss and select a relevant and authentic affective goal.  Students in the GT program complete check-ins and a quarterly reflection with the GT Site Coordinator on their progress towards their goal. Additionally, there are optional small groups available for more in-depth goal  choices where  students have opportunity to discuss challenges and successes in a safe environment with a school counselor, GT Coordinator and with other students who share similar affective goals.

For more on the Colorado Essential Skills, please visit: Colorado Essential Skills  

Grade-specific GT Services

Students in 6th-8th grade can attend CSU’s Engineering Day, held during the spring, with a math ALP goal. Short term career mentorships and college research with a tour are also available to 8th graders as an add-on enrichment to the Achievement Goal. These opportunities allow students in Kinard’s GT Program to connect academically and socially with their community while exploring their individual career or college interests. In career mentorships, the student conducts an individual interview with a parent present and may be invited to a site-visit at the business community member’s place of work. Each year for students who wish to research a college interest, the Kinard GT Site Coordinator reaches out to Colorado higher education institutions (CU Denver, School of Mines, UNC, CSU) for possible tours with students or to coordinate families to tour together with their students.

Examples of ALP Achievement Goal Enrichments at Kinard 

Stress Management and Healthy Habits

40 Book Challenge

10 Genre Challenge

Author Study

Entering a Writing Contest

Entering the Kinard Writing Contest

Tech Squad

Independent Inquiry Project

Career Mentorship

Learning a Second Language

Time Management/Organization

College Visit/Research

Social Action

Performing and Visual Arts

8th Grade College Preview Field Trips

Examples of ALP Affective Goal Choices at Kinard 

Improve Health and Wellness

Self Motivation

Personal Interactions

Time Management

Stress Management

Develop a Growth Mindset

Participate More in Classes

Improve Peer Interactions

Improve Organizational Skills

Be More Independent

Learn to Self-Advocate

Show More Grit and Perseverance in School