Gifted Education Department Contact Information
Dr. Heather Mullins, Chief Academic Officer, AIG Director
Office: NCCS Central Office 605 North West Ave, Newton, NC 28658
Phone: 828.464-3191 Email: heather.mullins@n-ccs.org
Cheryl Rhea, AIG Coordinator
Office: Thornton Educational Center 301 West 18th St, Newton, NC 28658
Phone: 828.466.5581 Ext. 2104 Email: cheryl.rhea@n-ccs.org
Academically/Intellectually Gifted Education
Philosophy
Services for children who are academically/intellectually gifted must be part of an overall educational program supporting excellence for all students. These students must have a continuum of services in grades kindergarten two through twelve which address their needs. Recognition of academically/intellectually gifted student must cross all cultural and economic strata. Potentially academically/intellectually gifted students from culturally diverse or economically disadvantaged families and students with disabilities need early learning experiences that are appropriately stimulating and educationally challenging.
Identification of Gifted Students
Newton-Conover City Schools has initiated a process for nomination of potential candidates for differentiated services using multiple criteria. This process includes screening, student search, nomination, committee review, and service options match. Aptitude and achievement test scores, a Gifted Behavior Scale, grade performance, and other indicators are utilized in the identification process.
Transfer students who have been previously identified or show potential for participation in differentiated service options will be reviewed for local eligibility based on individual needs.
Possible Service Options for Gifted Students
Elementary:
- Subject grouping in Math or Reading
- Cluster grouping
- In-class flexible grouping
- Cross-grade grouping
- Pullout gifted classes in fourth and fifth grades
Middle School:
- Advanced classes in Math, Language Arts, and Science
- Cross-grade grouping
- Course acceleration
- Dual Enrollment
High School:
- Honors and Advanced Placement courses in English, Math, Science, Social
- Studies, Foreign Language, and Fine Arts
- Dual enrollment
- Participation in special schools in North Carolina