Gifted education is a branch of

Special Education and, as such,

adheres to the philosophy that each

student is entitled to an educational

program that reflects, as much as

possible, his or her individual needs

and differences. Coquitlam School

District addresses the needs of gifted

students through school- and district-

based programs. Efforts are made to

address gifted children’s needs for

care, complexity and choice.

P h i l o s o p h y o f G i f t e d E d u c a t i o n i n S D # 4 3

GIFTED EDUCATION

At-a-Glance

Coquitlam's commitment to gifted education focuses on school-based, district-based and community-based programs, services and opportunities to excel for students who are identified as gifted and those who require enrichment.

Each elementary, middle, and secondary school in SD No. 43 has a Gifted Education Contact. For questions about the services offered to gifted students in a specific school, please contact the school’s Gifted Education Contact.

For questions about district-based programs for gifted students, please contact:

A Resource for Schools, Parents and Students

Revised May 2012

S c h o o l D i s t r i c t N o . 4 3 ( C o q u i t l a m )

L o u i s e M a l f e s i

G i f t e d E d u c a t i o n C o o r d i n a t o r 1 1 0 0 C W i n s l o w A v e n u e

C o q u i t l a m , B . C . V 3 J 2 G 3 P h o n e : 6 0 4 - 9 3 7 - 6 3 8 6

F a x : 6 0 4 - 9 3 6 - 5 4 5 1 L M a l f e s i @ s d 4 3 . b c . c a

W e b s i t e : h t t p : / / w w w . s d 4 3 . b c . c a /P r o g r a m s / g i f t e d / P a g e s / d e f a u l t . a s p x

Student Services Department

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) 1100C Winslow Avenue

Coquitlam, BC V3J 2G3

604-937-6386

Elementary School Services

School-Based Service Students are identified according to Ministry of Education guidelines for “giftedness”. (See http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/gifted/)

K-2 students who show signs of giftedness are supported in their regular classrooms, while pull-out programs may start in Grade 3. School-based service can provide adapted or differentiated curriculum in the classroom, and is outlined in an Individual Education Plan for identified students.

Individualized academic tasks requiring complex thinking can provide challenge and choice for students. Compacted curriculum can give students time to work on other activities that support developmental needs. Leadership and creative-problem-solving clubs and extracurricular activities, such as Odyssey of the Mind, Destination Imagination, Canadian Heritage Fair, and Canadian Math League Contests are available in some schools.

District- and Community-Based Service: District Zone Challenge Centres, located at Mundy Road Elementary, Eagle Ridge Elementary and Birchland Elementary, offer 10 morning or afternoon weekly sessions, three times a year for students in Grades 3 to 5, identified as gifted and 1 each term for Primary students who may not be identified as an additional part of their programs. Students are referred to sessions by school-based teams, and parents arrange transportation.

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Middle School Services

School-Based Service

Middle school gifted students are identified using testing, observations, and articulation information from elementary schools. Individual Education Plans are written to reflect the needs and goals of identified students.

Each middle school offers Grade 6-8 students school-based enrichment in class and/or in special groupings, such as cluster groups. Possible adaptations for challenge available at middle schools include: compacting, working on more challenging materials, and individual projects.

Middle school students in Grades 7-8, with outstanding leadership abilities, may be selected to represent their school on the District Student Leadership Council.

District- and Community-Based Service: Middle Age Cluster Class (MACC) is a three year program where identified gifted students are clusters together for the four core subjects (Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies) in classes located at Citadel Heights Middle, Kwayhquitum Middle and Hillcrest Middle.

Middle Magnet Workshops are district-initiated sessions for Grade 6-8 students, led by an expert in specific fields of interest: science, art, technology, drama, computers, writing, and mathematics. These workshops are offered at community and district sites, including Evergreen Cultural Cesntre, Winslow Centre, and host secondary and middle schools.

Secondary School Services

School-Based Service

Secondary gifted students take a role in developing their own Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Gleneagle Secondary offers the TALONS program for gifted Grade 9 and 10 students. This program provides students with an integrated program that features autonomous learning, self-directed studies, and outdoor and cultural activities.

Port Moody Secondary has well established International Baccalaurate (IB) programs for Grade 9 to 12.

Secondary schools throughout the district offer a variety of Advanced Placement (AP), Enriched, and Honours courses.

Career Prep and Work Experience programs provide opportunities in potential career fields, such as technology, art, drama, music/band, multimedia, tourism, home and culinary arts, journalism and leadership. Course selection, post-secondary and career planning, scholarships and tutoring options are available through school counselors and the schools’ Gifted Education Contacts.

SHARP

A number of Elementary and Middle schools are involved in a program called SHARP, which stands for Students of High Ability in the Regular Program. This program involves the strategy of cluster grouping 3-6 gifted students in regular classrooms. Teachers who have clusters are invited to participate in the SHARP program: in-service and networking workshops; discussion about resources; and individual consultation. As a result, clustered students are offered enriched and accelerated programming which differentiates the regular curriculum, individualized learning, and socio-emotional support.