RCAAS teachers understand gifted learners.
All of our classroom teachers are licensed Gifted Intervention Specialists. All of our teachers all engage in professional learning regarding arts integration and nurturing gifted and talented children. Additionally, we have recruited college professors through a generous grant from the Dorn Foundation to work with our students and staff to extend learning standards. These partnerships allow for deeper understanding of content and trips to college campuses that open our students' eyes to their future learning opportunities.
Aswad Johnson, father of Solomon Johnson (SHS Class of 2022)
"The story that Mr. Talbot told at graduation (the butterfly) reminded me of my son's 5th grade teacher. Learning's always been easy for Solomon, from preschool, while at Hancock, and his first year (4th grade) at RCAAS. 5th grade however was an eye-opening experience, because for the first time, Solomon struggled. Now some parents of gifted kids can feel that their child is entitled to an "A" just because they're "identified." They don't feel that child should have to put in any hard work. This can place a ton of pressure on a teacher, especially when the child doesn't perform as well as the parent thinks they should. Well, instead of Shelisa and I jumping all over the teacher, we jumped all over Solomon. We let him know that the C's & D's he was getting in class were not acceptable; and that he had better figure it out or it was going to be some trouble. Now, one of my favorite quotes is from former champ Mike Tyson. He said, "everybody has a plan, 'til they get hit in the mouth..." It was Conor Whelan who hit Solomon in the mouth (figuratively of course); and eventually Solomon learned how to overcome that adversity. I would like to thank him for that. Connor deserves to be recognized, because without him, I don't know if our son graduates with all those accolades Mr. Talbot read off today. Conor Whelan is a great teacher and we're blessed to have him. #GoStreaks!!"
Mr. Whelan taught 5th and 6th graders at RCAAS from 2013-2018. He now serves as one of the district Math Coaches where he continues to serve students and their teachers!
Ann Sheldon, Executive Director for the Ohio Association for Gifted Children shared, “Given that only 18% of identified gifted students in Ohio are provided services, it is clear that more options are needed to meet the needs of this student population. I applaud Sandusky City Schools for recognizing and meeting this need.”
"First year at RCAAS, and we’re very impressed. Exposure to new and exciting topics through partnerships with local universities have made learning fun and exciting for our daughter, Anisha Chopra. She can’t wait to tell us about her trips and new experiences. There is a good balance of new online teaching programs and standard in class lectures. The teaching methods implemented have taught our daughter to embrace challenges and to tackle new, unknown material with confidence. We appreciate the efforts put forth by the administration, faculty and staff. As parents, we would definitely recommend RCAAS. As a student, Anisha couldn’t imagine a better school." - Atul & Charu Chopra, Parents of Anisha Chopra, SHS Class of 2023 and Ishan Chopra, SHS Class of 2028 (Dr. Charu Chopra now teaches BGSU Chemistry at SHS and also serves as one of our Dorn Fellowship professors in the area of Chemistry and Physical Science with RCAAS 3rd and 4th graders!)
Dr. Eugene T. W. Sanders, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer for the Sandusky City Schools noted, “This innovative school is a reflection of the legacy, history, pride, and excellence that has been the hallmark of the Sandusky community. This school offers a regional approach to school instruction and we believe that innovation is the cornerstone of school restructuring in the 21st century. The Regional Center for Advanced Academic Studies is the next step in a series of transformational school efforts that we will share with the community over the next 12-15 months.”
"The Regional Center For Academic Studies was right on time for our family and this district. We were apprehensive the change of school would have on our daughter but, the advanced studies along with the ability to have an inspiring setting for the students, teamed with the professors, trips, and outstanding leaders has worked wonders in inspiring and allowing my student to blossom and grow mentally, academically, personally, and socially."
- Jennifer Schonhardt, former RCAAS PTO President and Mother of Kamryn Schonhardt, SHS Class of 2026, & Kaeley Schonhardt, SHS Class of 2022
Faith Denslow, Former Sandusky City Schools Board of Education President, and Grandmother to RCAAS Student, Andre Tackett said, “This new school is the kind of Next Level strategic and innovative initiative that will provide our students with the ability to compete against students from a global perspective. We are excited about this transformation effort and the Board of Education fully endorses the transformation step. We are excited about the future for all of our students in the Sandusky region.”
"I think it was pretty neat being a part of the first group to go to RCAAS. The teachers there were great and we had fun while learning. I also think it's neat that I was part of the first group to be in the gifted program at SMS." - Kai Edwards, SHS Class of 2020
"I'm so proud to know that Kai was in the first class to ever be at RCAAS. Mrs. Toft was a teacher Venice Heights and I loved the way she interacted with the kids. Then to find out she was going to be the principal at RCAAS was icing on the cake! Finding out that Kai was going to be working with a professor from BGSU in 6th grade was great. My child is a well-rounded student and I contribute that to past and present teachers, principals, classes and programs available due to being in the gifted program, and me, Kai's mother." - Tracy Stephens, Parent
Since the Fall of 2020, students evaluated as gifted or emerging in the Visual and Performing Arts, have had not only the opportunity to receive advanced arts studies in their talent identification areas but also learn in a nurturing environment that values their gifts and talents. We believe in teaching the whole child, and a child that thrives artistically or academically will benefit from learning in an arts infused core classroom. This is why the RCAAS uses Arts Integration as important part of our curriculum. (See video below for more the benefits of Arts Integration)
Bringing the arts into core curricula raises student achievement and improves student engagement.
2e students, as they are also called, may be gifted in one or more area/s and also have learning challenges. For example, a student may be gifted in Mathematics but have a specific learning disability in Written Expression. Another student may be gifted in Visual Art but diagnosed with ADHD which makes other content area learning a challenge.
It is possible that a student's gifted abilities will mask their disability or vice versa. These phenomena can cause a student to appear relatively average in their school achievement as measured by grades and even some standardized tests. More specific assessments are available to discern if your child is, in fact, twice-exceptional.
At RCAAS, we recognize the whole child and aim to help every student reach his/her individual potential, including those who are twice-exceptional!
RCAAS offers support for parents through this journey of raising gifted and talented children through our Parent - Teacher Organization (PTO) and Family Focus Events throughout the year. We host family fun events such as the Harvest Party, Pajama Jam, Family Game Night, Family STEAM Night, and our annual Fine Arts Gala & Open House. During some of these events we also simultaneously host parent information sessions to learn about the nature and needs of gifted and talented children and strategies for helping them to reach their potentials.