Gifted & Talented Program: Elementary School
Whether enrolled full-time or part-time, gifted and talented students at National Connections Academy (NaCA) find the specialized instruction and support they need to realize their potential.
Advancing in Core Subjects
Designed specifically for gifted learners in Grades 3–5, our advanced courses offer increased interaction with teachers and peers as well as special projects, activities, and investigations that promote higher-level thinking skills. Our gifted courses for Grades 3–5 include:
- Language Arts
- Literature
- Math
- Science
For younger full-time students, we customize lesson plans to their abilities and, where appropriate, offer the opportunity to work at a higher grade level. Gifted and talented second graders, for example, may take an elective in literature.
For our “twice-exceptional” full-time students who may be gifted in one subject but need special help in another, our gifted and talented team can create customized programs to address both strengths and challenges.
Enhancing Critical Thinking, Writing, and Analytical Skills
For students in Gifted and Talented Language Arts classes, NaCA offers the widely regarded Junior Great Books® Program. Reading the great works of literature, receiving expert instruction, and engaging in facilitated group discussions and online activities, students deepen their critical thinking and writing skills as they connect with other gifted students who share their interests.
Identifying Gifted Students
For full-time National Connections Academy students, parents or a teacher may nominate a student for enrollment in NaCA’s Gifted or Talented program. In evaluating nominations to the program, NaCA considers:
- Aptitude and achievement test scores
- Grades or previous academic performance
- An individual portfolio of previous work
- A prior school’s assessment
For part-time students enrolling in one of our individual Gifted and Talented courses, parents should contact an enrollment advisor to determine the appropriate course level.