Middle School Gifted

Click here to open the info packet for families shared in fall 2023. 

Click here to open the info packet in Spanish. 

Middle School Gifted Services

Middle school students have the option of receiving services at their zoned school or making an application to one of four Centers for Gifted Studies during the District Application Period.

FULL-TIME GIFTED SERVICES 

In the full-time service option, gifted students are in self-contained classes for all of the core classes:  language arts, math, science, social studies, world language, and a specially designed magnet elective.  All of the students in these classes have met gifted eligibility. Instruction is provided by gifted endorsed teachers or those working towards their endorsement.  This educational setting is designed to be challenging and rigorous with curriculum delivered through instructional strategies that promote creative, critical and complex thinking. 

The Middle School Centers for Gifted Studies are a school within a school magnet model designed to meet the unique academic and social/emotional needs of adolescent gifted students through full-time gifted services, the option is now available at four school sites:.

In north county: Dunedin Highland

In mid county: Morgan Fitzgerald

In south county: Thurgood Marshall Fundamental (Gifted/Fundamental) or John Hopkins (Gifted/Arts) (NEW in 2021)

• NORTH Dunedin Highland Middle School  – Students zoned for Dunedin Highland, Carwise, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor & Tarpon Springs Middle Schools are able to apply for a seat in the Center for Gifted Studies at Dunedin. To schedule a tour contact the magnet coordinator at 727-469-4112

• MID Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School – Students zoned for Largo, Morgan Fitzgerald, Oak Grove, Osceola, Pinellas Park & Seminole Middle Schools are able to apply for a seat in the Center for Gifted Studies at Morgan Fitzgerald. To schedule a tour contact the magnet coordinator at 727-547-4526.

• SOUTH  Thurgood Marshall Middle School or John Hopkins Middle School -  Students zoned for Azalea, Bay Point, John Hopkins, Meadowlawn, Thurgood Marshall & Tyrone Middle Schools are able to apply for a seat in the Center for Gifted Studies at Thurgood Marshall (Gifted/Fundamental) or the Center for Gifted Studies at John Hopkins (Gifted/Arts). To schedule a tour contact the magnet coordinator at (TMMS) 727-552-1737 or (JHMS) 727-893-2400 x2036.

Please click here to open and view detailed course progression for the Center for Gifted Studies.

Please click here to open a Center for Gifted Studies Q & A. 

All gifted students interested in attending one of the Middle School Centers for Gifted Studies must apply during the magnet application period held in Januuary each year or make a late application through Dec 31st.  For more information, please see District Application Programs or contact the Center for Gifted Studies in your geographic area.

PART-TIME GIFTED SERVICES 

The Advanced Academics 6-8 (gifted elective course) is offered in all middle schools. All of the students in the course have met gifted eligibility and instruction is provided by a gifted endorsed teacher.  This course is similar to the elementary pull-out program in that it exposes students to topics not usually included in middle school curriculum.  The Advanced Academics course "topics" rotate over the three years of middle school and include: Age, Images, and Conflict. All three years use engaging cross-disciplinary content to tackle the 7 Florida Gifted Goals. This course also includes explicit critical and creative thinking and affective curriculum.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES 

Students who are academically talented in mathematics and/or science have access to accelerated math and science courses in middle school.

Accelerated Math and Science opportunities are offered at all middle schools in Pinellas County and are open to all students (gifted and traditional) who meet the recommended criteria.

In Accelerated Math, currently there are two options that provide students an opportunity to complete one or  two high school credit math courses before entering high school.

In Accelerated Science, students accelerate through 3 years of middle school science in 6^th and 7^th grade. This acceleration option provides students an opportunity to complete a high school credit science course in their 8^th grade year.