Learners with Exceptional Academic, Artistic, Altruistic Potential
 
The Gifted and Talented Program for Manchester Schools

 

The mission of the Manchester School District is to provide safe, healthy, nurturing, and respectful environments in which all students have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills that will enable them to become life-long learners as well as positive and productive citizens.

In 2005, the Manchester Board of School Committee gave approval to offer the LEAP Gifted and Talented Program at five elementary schools in the District.  Three new schools were added for the 2007-2008 school year.  LEAP supports the districtÕs mission by providing enrichment in academic areas through differentiated instruction and by promoting opportunities to meet the educational needs of our identified gifted learners.

One goal of the District is to maintain the LEAP program model in a small number of elementary schools to be applied in an increasing number of schools over time.  Identified students in fourth and fifth grades at the following schools are eligible to participate in the program:

To identify students, the school district is implementing a three-part process: nomination, screening and selection.  After teacher or parent nomination of a student, a multi-part criterion, including current standardized tests scores, teacher and parent rating scales, and student work samples are used to screen the students.  The next step is for the LEAP screening committee to review the data and determine eligibility.  Once selected, an Action Plan will be developed for each student.

The LEAP Program model is differentiating instruction in the regular classroom by promoting learning experiences and teaching methods that match the studentÕs knowledge, ability and needs through a range of individual and group activities.  This is not a pull-out program, though some opportunity or small group work is encouraged as school wide or classroom enrichment experiences.

For further information regarding programming and services, please contact:

  Troi Hopkins  
  LEAP Coordinator  
  thopkins@mansd.org   
  603 624-6300 x140