Motivation
PGA faculty create a climate of learning. They assess the needs and talents of each learner and adjust instruction based on this continuous assessment. Each PGA teachers must take 300 hours of Professional Development classes in Gifted Education
Looping
PGA students are on the same team with a group of 6 teachers. Each year they will have three of the six teachers. Being on the same team makes students and teachers feel more like a school family. Students transition more easily to a smaller community within a larger school environment.
High Performing
PGA students benefit from teacher directed discovery as well as independent learning. They are introduced to subjects and offered activities that spark their imagination to further pursue a subject in more depth.
At the Heart of Everything
We strive to inspire our students to develop their abilities, and to instill a desire to make a positive difference in family, community, and the world. At Sarasota Middle School, students forge relationships and develop their knowledge, capabilities and interests.
Panther Gifted Academy Requirements
Please talk with your ESE Instructional Facilitator at your current districted school. Your request must be in writing that you are requesting gifted testing. Students that are not districted to SMS MUST be both Gifted and Magnet Gifted qualified and then they may choose to join us in the Panther Gifted Academy Program at SMS.
The Gifted Process begins with a gifted screening by your School EIF or School Counselor. If a high enough score is achieved, the screening is followed by formal IQ Testing by the School Psychologist. If a high enough IQ score is achieved then Academic Tests in Reading and Math will be administered. The scores from the Academic Tests plus the student's past 4 quarter grades in Math and ELA will be considered for "Magnet Gifted" qualified.
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Please talk with your ESE Instructional Facilitator for additional information or call the SMS Gifted IF. We are here to help you understand everything!
Please look at the Sarasota County Gifted information page at: https://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/o/scs/page/gifted-information
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