Gifted Education Program
The North Tippah School District serves intellectually gifted students in the mandated grades of 2-6, as well as students in grades 7-8, through an enrichment program called, "APEx" (Advanced Placement for the Exceptional). Services are provided as a pull-out resource program at Chalybeate Elementary School, Falkner Attendance Center, and Walnut Attendance Center. Each intellectually gifted student receives a minimum of fifty minutes of gifted instruction per day, thus resulting in 250 minutes per week.
To embrace, inspire, and challenge gifted learners every day, so that they will excel in the world.
The mission of the North Tippah School District Intellectually Gifted & Talented Program is to identify students who demonstrate unusually high potential and to provide them with unique, qualitatively diverse educational experiences from that of the general classroom setting. The gifted program will strive to enhance students' individual abilities and talents, both educationally and emotionally, as they perform in a safe environment.
The North Tippah School District, in accordance with the Mississippi Department of Education’s 2013 Standards, 2017 Outcomes, and 2023 Regulations for Gifted Education Programs, is committed to identifying intellectually gifted students and providing a program of enrichment that addresses their unique needs, talents, and learning styles. Cognitive and affective needs are addressed through essential process skill development. Higher-order thinking skills, independent learning, and leadership are emphasized. Creativity is enhanced and visual and performing arts are promoted. Socio-emotional needs of students are recognized and addressed.
- To provide an identification process that is inclusive and meets requirements, as outlined in state regulations.
- To provide a safe learning environment that allows gifted students to interact with intellectual peers.
- To provide challenging learning experiences that address multiple talents, challenges, and cultural diversity.
- To provide a challenging, differentiated curriculum that addresses the cognitive and affective characteristics of the gifted learner.
- To focus on students’ interests, strengths, and learning styles in order to encourage a life-long love of learning.
- To provide opportunities for students to develop and enhance thinking skills, affective skills, success skills, communication skills, creativity, and information literacy.
- To provide differentiated guidance to meet the socio-emotional needs of gifted students, including those who are underachieving, twice exceptional, and culturally diverse.
- To provide professional development for gifted teachers, general education teachers, administrators, and other personnel involved in the education of gifted learners.
- To promote parental and community involvement for the advancement of gifted education.
The Mississippi Department of Education defines giftedness as "Children and youth who are found to have an exceptionally high degree of intelligence, gifts, and talents as documented through the identification process."
In compliance with the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Gifted Regulations and State Mandate, the North Tippah School District provides programming for intellectually gifted students, as an integral part of the district's overall educational offerings. Services for intellectually gifted students are provided by properly endorsed teachers of the gifted. Appropriate provisions are made to address the unique needs of gifted needs of gifted students and high ability learners.
