Gifted students display a complex level of thinking that varies in acceleration and depth. Our gifted and talented program challenges gifted students’ unique and creative abilities, furthering their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Our teachers assess the student’s current knowledge and skill levels, adjusting instruction and curriculum to meet each student’s needs along their journey.
Dr. Brandi Maynard is ILA's Director of Gifted Education. She has extensive experience in both gifted education and online learning and sparks learning in all of our gifted students! Contact Dr. B to learn more about our SPARK program at bmaynard@ignitelearningacademy.com.
Students identified as gifted and talented are afforded the opportunity to explore their interests through the core course curriculum, capstone projects, and a diverse offering of relevant and engaging foreign language, electives, and advanced courses.
Gifted students in grades K-5 are able to participate in a self-contained gifted classroom with small class sizes and daily live classes. Students in grades 6-12 meet weekly for enrichment with our Director of Gifted Education.
Gifted students may choose to replace their math curriculum with Beast Academy (ages 8-13) or the Art of Problem Solving (pre-Algebra and above) math curriculum. This rigorous curriculum far surpasses the depth of national and state-level standards, engaging mathematically gifted learners as they think critically to solve complex mathematical equations and expand their knowledge.
Students have the opportunity to extend their learning through a variety of clubs and activities to spark curiousity and ignite their learning and passion.
Gifted students in grades K-2 explore their interests through individual projects and guided learning while those in grades 3-8 complete semester-long projects that allow students to explore their own interests, solve problems, and engage in many different modalities and content area learning to produce a final project. (One example in an invention project to solve a current problem. Students identify the problem, plan and design their invention, create a prototype out of Legos or household materials, test, and report on their findings, and share their project with the school community.) The Director of Gifted Education works closely with these students and oversees project completion. High school students begin a gifted program capstone project beginning in 9th grade that is completed at the end of the student's senior year.
Students who work faster than their peers are able to do so in our environment to ensure they are continually challenged. Our SPARK program is designed to keep up with their pace. We know gifted students don’t simply need more work. Instead, they need the opportunity to explore the world around them and construct varied viewpoints, test hypotheses, and learn by doing.
Gifted students are invited to attend live classes throughout the week with their peers. Students are grouped by age and have the opportunity to interact with other gifted students as they learn more about the world in which we live and engage in projects about which they are passionate.
Not only do we strive to build academic excellence; we promote self-awareness and intrinsic motivation. Students will be encouraged to develop individualized thinking, investigation and expression. They’ll develop creative problem solving when facing challenges. Students’ achievements are celebrated as we continually work together to meet their personalized goals.
Contact us today to learn more about ILA's SPARK program.
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