The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) in Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TX, is a prominent school that provides specialized academic programming for students working at an accelerated pace. TAG is an educational institution in the Dallas Independent School District. TAG has set benchmark practices for quality teaching and learning, maintaining high expectations for all its students in the innovative curriculum that it designs around maximizing the interests of students as gifted learners. This article examines TAG, including an overview of their programming, the academic model, Texas Education Agency test scores, their admission process, classes offered at TAG, and the practices of TAG to enhance the learning for all students attending TAG.
What is the general information about the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove?
What specialty services at the School for the Talented and Gifted?
School for the Talented and Gifted is recognized for its gifted school programs in general, however, the Distinguished Achievement Program that emphasizes instruction in gifted learning strategies with gifted learners is mutually exclusive to just the School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove. Its curriculum is specifically designed to teach students about interlearning education that allows students to overview genres of study when learning – mathematics with study of science relative to humanities topics. Also, TAG offers opportunities to enhance the academic experience with co-curricular programs, each allowing for additional opportunities for creativity and critical thinking, and these include many clubs and competitions. The focus of the School for the Talented and Gifted is naturally on gifted students, and that serves to not only inspire an educational experience, but also an holistic experience for a gifted child while they progress toward their full potential as a person and student.
What does the curriculum look like for the gifted and talented learners?
The School for the Talented and Gifted offers a curriculum that has been constructed and designed to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students at the TAG school. The curriculum offers a mixture of Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) and Advanced Placement (AP) level curriculum which is rigorous and encourages students to prepare for college-level courses. Conceptualizing advanced courses such as advanced mathematics and advanced sciences, all students must engage in a piece of literature and further develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Therefore, while many of the courses are driven by the Texas state academic standards, the catalog also shows innovative curriculum that illustrates rigorous coursework, as defined by educational organizations and universally respected and enriched content. Using a highly rigorous curriculum to inspire students to go beyond the curriculum to learn and master subjects in-depth and breadth will give TAG students the confidence to achieve academically and help inspire a love of learning for a lifetime.
What is the School for the Talented and Gifted’s standing test scores in comparison to other schools?
What is the average test score among students attending the School for the Talented and Gifted?
The School for the Talented and Gifted shows excellent academic achievement. Through student performance regiments the School for the Talented and Gifted continues to differentiate itself by achieving results that stand apart from the schools in the area. Average scores on both local district and state assessments show a strong level of proficiency, and several students are testing well above state and national averages. The level of achievement has largely been attributed to the academic rigor of the school and educators, quality educators’ dedication, and educators’ commitment to students success on there assessments as a whole. A great focus on advanced courses with rigor of academic content, in addition to critical thinking skills taught in advanced coursework, has aided in creating remarkable students who can effectively demonstrate their assessment performance as a whole.
What is the school ranked among Texas high schools?
In reviewing the rankings of high schools in Texas, the School for the Talented and Gifted is consistently rated one of the best in the state. High test performances, academic performance and college readiness are just some of the things that lend to its legitimacy. The students at TAG are known as competent learners and engaged in assessment and evaluation opportunities because of their rigorous academic learning. Unable to strictly rank the academics learning of a school, these rankings also look at how a child’s academic path enables students to get a quality education that prepares them for life challenges to meet their future goals in college.
What are the reasons for their high scores?
The School for the Talented and Gifted students’ scores can be attributed to three main factors. First, the school’s unique curriculum is specifically tailored to gifted learners and encourages a deeper exploration of the content. Second, the school’s dedicated and knowledgeable staff develops students’ success as learners. All teachers at TAG are experts in their subject matter and are trained in instructional strategies that move learning to higher-order thinking and problem solving. Finally, a supportive school climate allows students to take risks and push themselves academically, which ultimately improves test taking performance.
What are the admission requirements for the School for the Talented and Gifted?
What tests and assessments are necessary?
The admission process for the School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) consists of a number of tests and assessments that measure the potential academic abilities of applicants. Standardized tests that measure academic achievement and cognitive ability in important areas such as reading and mathematics are typically a part of the assessment process. The assessments include self-reflection, parental involvement in the application and assessment process, standardized tests, and individual performance assessments that are conducted by Tar River Academy. The school uses assessment process information—the assessment results—as the basis for determining candidate admissions. Because the School for the TAG requests the cognitive and academic achievement measures, the school uses these results to ensure that only students that demonstrate potential high academic ability are admitted to the program. In addition to the assessment of academic potential, the admissions committee also reviews all information provided, including, but not limited to, teacher recommendations, previous school academic records, and documentation to gain better insight of the candidate’s ability.
What is the application process?
The application process is organized, structured and thorough, and is a reflection of School for the Talented and Gifted’s commitment to the most exceptional students to have the highest chance of acceptance. Interested families must fill out an application form that will ask for personal information, educational history, and relevant extracurricular adventures. After submitting the application form, students will complete the required assessments. Afterwards families will receive notice of an admission decision. The school aims to be as transparent as possible in the admission process and provide guidance and support to applicants and families to allow for the best possible experience in enrolling in their school.
Is there a set of eligibility requirements for gifted in Pleasant Grove?
Eligibility criteria for gifted kids in Pleasant Grove are developed to ensure that the School for the Talented and Gifted is implemented with its specific curriculum potentially benefiting the students attending. Academic performance and cognitive performance must show a potential for exceptionally high intellectual ability, typically shown through formal assessments like standardized tests. TAG looks at, considers, and evaluates the other possible factors to include, motivation, creativity, and passion for learning. As a pledge to diversity, the school actively works to enroll a population that is reflective of the rich diversity in Pleasant Grove and recognizes all gifted students must have the opportunity to flourish.
What kind of classes does the School for the Talented and Gifted offer?
Are there any advanced courses?
Compared to any other Dallas ISD high school, the School for the Talented and Gifted offers a broader range of Advanced Placement courses (or AP courses). Each AP course provides a specific academic challenge to the student and the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. AP classes are offered in a variety of content areas including AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP Literature, and AP History. Rigorous AP classes taken in the senior year of high school give students a competitive advantage in their senior year as well as enhance their college admission profile – and helps students develop important academic skills that will serve them well in their college years. The Advanced Placement courses offered to TAG are just one example of the commitment made by the School for the Talented and Gifted to prepare students to meet the rigors of college work and the competitive nature of college admission.
What extracurricular programs complement your curriculum?
Extracurricular activities at TAG are beneficial to the curriculum and they give students even more educational and learning opportunities. Extracurricular activities can include academic clubs (from science and math teams to debate and literary societies), which enable students to continue making connections with their peers, and to be part of a team in both competitive and collaborative ways. TAG has an extensive program of community service projects and leadership programs so that students can also foster social responsibility and growth in themselves as individuals. Extracurricular activities, along with the curriculum, not only help students learn, but also to learn lifelong skills that are imperative for future!
How do courses prepare students for college?
The courses at the School for the Talented and Gifted are also designed keeping many of the aspects of a college education in mind. We communicate the curriculum, a.k.a. critical thinking and analyzing our world using the appropriate skills that students learn in their education at TAG with the understanding that all people have agency and responsibility in the world we live in. In addition, TAG promotes working with advanced material, including the implementation of advanced placement classes and exposes students to fractions of working with those topics in college level work. The faculty also support college readiness by assisting students with the application process and preparing for college expectations. All of this contributes in making TAG graduates ready for the challenges of their world and university success.
In what ways does the School for the Talented and Gifted support the students?
What is the role of the teacher in student success?
Teachers at the School for the Talented and Gifted are also there to support students’ success by creating the most conducive conditions to learn. They have the obligation of teaching, developing mentoring relationships with students and supporting students to perform at their best. TAG teachers have content areas of proficiency or expertise, whether a mathematician of the highest academic standards or a veteran language teacher who is successfully employing the authoritative evidence-based strategies leveraging high engagement for gifted learners. TAG teachers infuse the curriculum with differentiated and pull-out experiences, work on, and often develop individual personalized learning plans, or at least flexible timelines. Teachers can concentrate on a student’s individual “gift” and often produce much higher quality work and outcomes through the teacher-student relationship than what might happen in a conventional learning situation. This strong relationship with educators creates a trusting environment for students to take intellectual risks and strive for excellence.
In what ways does the school support university/college readiness?
The School for the Talented and Gifted takes a proactive approach to preparing students for university in a way that provides all of them opportunities to be successful after high school. The School for the Talented and Gifted has a full-time college counselor on staff that assists students in navigating their college application process, and the portion that involves writing their personal statement. The college counselor also helps students prepare for the interview process that happens for some college applications. The School for the Talented and Gifted provides college fairs and encourages students to visit campuses of interested colleges. Workshops are organized by the school that will highlight multiple universities and programs. This process encourages students to think about their options, and to transition from high school to college in a way that alleviates some of the anxiety that most students will relate to, and provides confidence.
What support is available for students needing extra help?
The School for the Talented and Gifted makes academic success for all students a top priority and has multiple ways to help students that need extra help. TAG has a peer and teacher tutoring program that offers tutoring to help with specific academic issues in math and science. TAG has a student mentor program that also offers student assistance through mentors that are older students or alumni. There are several kinds of online forums and study groups for students to take advantage of in order for every student to get the help and support they need to strengthen their opportunities for academic success. The fact that student extra support is available reflects the school’s acknowledgement of the importance of supporting every learner and upholding their responsibilities for students to take advantage of available resources that will enhance and strengthen their academic’s experience at the school.