PROGRAMMING FOR MENTALLY GIFTED STUDENTS  -  MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Mt. Lebanon School District provides for mentally gifted students using the conceptual framework of continuous progress through the district mainstream curriculum.  The extensive curriculum includes options and alternatives which have been created and refined to provide opportunities for students of varying abilities.  The central consideration for education of mentally gifted middle school students is to provide them with the appropriate educational opportunities commensurate with their capabilities as a learner.  It is the firm belief of this district and consistent with middle school philosophy that a high level of challenge can be and is provided primarily in the regular classroom.

Programming for the mentally gifted at the middle school level is comprised of three major components.  These include Acceleration, EnrichmentWithin the Classroom and Enrichment Beyond the Classroom.  These components are delivered through collaboration among the classroom teacher, school staff and the gifted coordinator.  Each identified student’s Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) is a personalized combination of the three components.  Only those options which are appropriate and which address a student’s learning style and academic needs are selected for that individual student. These options are also open to those students who are not identified as mentally gifted, but who might demonstrate an occasional need for more challenge.