Gifted and talented youth are a unique population, differing markedly from their age peers in abilities, talents, interests, and psychological maturity. They are capable of exceptional performance in one or more of the following areas: general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive thinking, leadership, and visual and performing arts.

These students need guidance and a qualitatively different instructional approach in order to develop fully their intellectual and creative abilities.

1. To identify at every level and in every school those children who exhibit aspects of giftedness.
2. To provide a differentiated K-8 educational program which will enable each gifted child to develop his/her abilities.
3. To provide opportunities for interaction of students possessing comparable gifts and talents.
4. To provide professional development to educational staff in an effort to continually improve identification and instruction of gifted students.
5. To assist parents in understanding and guiding their children.
6. To continually evaluate the students and the program in an effort to deliver an exceptional educational program to the students.

The application process is open to all public or parochial students residing in the Bay City Public School District. If you reside outside the Bay City Public Schools District please contact the Gifted and Talented Office at 671-8170

Nomination form

Children who are academically talented have unique abilities, which can create challenges for them in a regular classroom. They tend to have incredible memories, learn at a more rapid pace, and possess a depth of thinking which may cause them to be “out of sync” with their peers.

The Gifted and Talented Program is specially designed to serve the educational and social-emotional needs of these children. Parents should consider having their child evaluated for Gifted and Talented programming if their child possesses several of the characteristics of an advanced learner and the academic and social-emotional needs are not being met in the regular classroom.

The Bay City Public Schools offers a Gifted and Talented elementary program designed to meet these academic and social-emotional needs.

• Gifted & Talented Program Information

The Honors Program

The Middle School Honors Program is designed to meet the academic needs of the gifted and high achieving student.   The curriculum for the Honors Program is challenging and rigorous in all four content areas.

Acceptance into the Middle School Honors Program is different from the Elementary Gifted Program. Students who are accepted to the Honors Program can qualify for up to 4 Honors classes or as few a 1 Honors class. These families will be notified by mail with an invitation to join Honors Courses.

Typically those students who do not qualify for all four honors classes may be recommended to one of the following concentration/focus areas based on academic strengths:

• Honors Liberal Arts (English Language Arts/Social Studies)
• Honors Science (Mathematics/Science)

Raising a gifted student can sometimes pose a challenge along with the great reward. Here you will find links and resources you may find useful in your academic journey with your child.

The Gifted and Talented Program holds three yearly programs.  Programs address various topics to support the learning and well-being of the gifted child.  If you would like more information please contact the GT office at 671-8170.

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED EDUCATION

HOAGIES GIFTED PARENT PAGE This site offers "all things gifted" for the parent. You will find information from what it means to be gifted to games and toys.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED CHILDREN The NAGC site offers practical tips for parenting, advocacy, and other resources such as summer camps.

GT WORLD This site is best described as an online support community.  There are various resources that you find to meet your families specific needs.

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE GIFTED (TAG) The Council for Exceptional Children has a sub group for Gifted Children.  This page provides their resource information.

TWICE EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN Twice Exceptional children exhibit giftedness and a learning disability.  This newsletter gives tips to help parents advocated for their children.

SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF GIFTED Ideas to help support the unique emotional needs of a gifted child.