GPISD Advanced Academics
Advanced Academics Staff
School for the Highly Gifted
We are a learning community
vigorously pursuing student success.
The Grand Prairie School for the Highly Gifted is a district
charter school designed to meet the unique needs of the
top 1-2% of the gifted population. Admission is based upon
multiple criteria.
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Small class size
Multi-age group classes
Individualized learning plans
Curriculum specifically designed for the highly
gifted learner
Bilingual and ESL Programs offered
Authentic classroom and homework assignments
with an emphasis on creativity and depth of
thinking
Foreign Languages offered as enrichment
rotations
Computer programming/coding
Competitions
Engaging and purposeful learning opportunities
beyond the classroom and school
For more information visit: www.gpisd.org/gifted or call
Headmaster Holly Mohler at 972-343-7864.
Director of Advanced Academics
Cathy Shaver
cathy.shaver@gpisd.org
972-237-4036
Advanced Academics Administrative Assistant
Mona Navejar
mona.navejar@gpisd.org
972-237-4034
Enrichment Opportunities
Advanced Academics
Gifted & Talented Program
Destination
Imagination is a nation-wide
competition for K-college in which students
collaborate with a team to apply creative problem
solving and critical thinking skills to solve a challenge
www.destinationimagination.org
Academic Decathlon is a highly competitive and
academically challenging program for high school
students to match their skills with top students across
the region and state in ten academic areas
www.usad.org www.txacadec.org
Camp Invention is a summer science and math
enrichment program designed to allow students
(entering grades 1-6) to apply inventive and
innovative thinking as they participate in exciting,
hands-on learning experiences. For more information
visit: www.campinvention.org
GPISD Education Center
2602 South Belt Line Road
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
www.gpisd.org
GPISD Advanced Academics
Gifted & Talented Program
GPISD
Advanced Academics
Our Mission
Gifted & Talented Program
The Grand Prairie ISD Gifted and Talented Program
is committed to ensuring that our highest ability
learners are challenged to meet their potential and
that curriculum and learning opportunities are in
line with their needs, interests, and abilities.
GOALS
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Implement an ongoing identification
process for grades K-12 based on multiple
and specific criteria that will ensure every
population has an equal opportunity for
nomination, screening, and selection into
the program
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Provide an array of learning experiences
that are appropriately differentiated and
meaningfully linked to core content
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Promote creative-problem solving and
divergent thinking
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Foster higher order thinking
(analysis, synthesis, evaluation)
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Guide students to develop a healthy self
awareness of what it means to be gifted
and encourage them to apply their
talents toward responsible service to
others
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Provide ongoing training opportunities
for administrators, counselors, and
teachers involved in serving the needs of
gifted and talented students
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skills
Encourage students to think not only of
what is, but what can be
GT PROGRAM OPTIONS
ELEMENTARY
 Participation in a regular pull-out program for grade 1-5
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Instruction provided by a certified Advanced Academic Specialist (with 12-15 hrs of graduate study in gifted education)
 Advanced resources and learning activities including the Mentoring Mathematical Minds Program, novel studies
at every grade level, and rich writing experiences
 Inter-disciplinary curriculum based on broad themes
 Opportunities for critical and creative thinking and independent investigation through the Texas Performance
Standards Projects (TPSP)
 Engaging and hands-on learning experiences
 Out-of-school options including Chess, Destination Imagination, and Camp Invention
MIDDLE SCHOOL
 PreAP/GT classes offered in ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies
 PreAP and AP courses offered in Spanish for 7th and 8th Grades
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Program supported by a certified Advanced Academics Specialist (with 12-15 hrs of graduate study in gifted education)
 Opportunities for acceleration into high school credit courses in Algebra I, Geometry, English I, and Spanish
 Instruction provided by teachers with both GT and College Board professional development
 Emphasis on analysis, critical reasoning, and independent investigation
 Opportunities for participation in College Readiness Programs (i.e. Duke TIP and College Board PSAT 8/9)
 Out-of-school options such as Destination Imagination
HIGH SCHOOL
 PreAP/GT and AP classes offered in a wide variety of areas
 Opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school through
Teaching & Learning
AP exams and Dual Credit at local colleges and universities
 Opportunities to accelerate through Credit by Exam
 Instruction provided by teachers with both GT and College Board professional development
 Out-of-school options such as Destination Imagination and Academic Decathlon