Vision/Mission Statement:

York Suburban School District strives for excellence in all programming, including the gifted program. We believe that all students benefit from instruction that challenges them to reach meaningful academic goals. Our mission is to identify students in need of gifted programming in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education Chapter 16.

Philosophy:

Students in the Gifted Program receive individualized and specially designed instruction to develop their creative, cognitive and affective talents. Exposure to various processes and higher level thinking skills that include investigation, creative problem solving, independent study, critical thinking, citizenship and career awareness are provided.

York Suburban School District identifies students for gifted programming by utilizing multiple criteria including: achievement test scores, acquisition and retention rates, cognitive abilities, expertise or performance in one or more academic areas, high level thinking skills, academic creativity, leadership skills, academic interest areas, teacher information accessed through a gifted checklist, and parent information. 

The Gifted Program in grades K-5 provides for options including compaction of curriculum, acceleration, enrichment through problem solving and creative projects, on-line courses and various summer camps such as Johns Hopkins and Lincoln Intermediate Unit.

The Gifted Program in grades 6-8 provides for options including seminar, writing competitions, MathCounts, on-line programs such as the Stock Market Game, science fair, current issues discussion, and independent study. A co-teaching model is also used with the general education teacher and the gifted teacher instructing students.

The Gifted Program in grades 9-12 provides for enrichment options including shadowing and mentoring opportunities, independent study, on-line courses, science fair and an engineering program for students (“Lead the Way”).