ALPHA Program for Academically Gifted Students

             A – Achievements in

L – Leadership,

P - Problem-solving,

H – Humanities and

A - The Arts

Mrs. Kaye Marsh

B.S. Degree from Western Carolina University, 1985

M.Ed. Degree from University of South Carolina, 1993

Areas of certification: Elementary, Middle School Science, and Gifted and Talented.

Years Experience: 23

What is ALPHA?

ALPHA is an enrichment and acceleration program for state identified gifted and talented learners. The students are engaged in unit studies that are designed to develop critical and creative thinking and problem-solving and decision making skills. The learning is at a pace and depth appropriate for gifted and talented learners.

Nominations for the ALPHA Academically Gifted and Talented program may be made from administrators, parents, and teachers. Referral forms are available in the school office.

Students who meet the eligibility criteria in at least two out of three dimensions are eligible for gifted and talented service. Once a child has been identified, he or she will remain in the program unless grades in the regular classroom decline or overall performance in the ALPHA classroom is less than satisfactory.

Curriculum and instruction for gifted and talented students incorporates the following components:

1. Goals that support mastery of core areas of learning.

2. Learning experiences organized around complex concepts, themes, and issues.

3. Challenging, meaningful content that exceeds state grade-level standards.

4. Instruction in the processes of communicating, problem-solving and critical thinking that exceeds state grade-level standards.