Jacobson Gifted Program

What is Jacobson Gifted Program (JGP)?

The Jacobson Gifted Program is designed to challenge the Gifted Student through a multi-dimensional teaching approach involving special curricula, enrichment and the acceleration of course content.

The ultimate goal of the program is to develop within the student a desire for excellence and a sense of individual responsibility to the school community and to a changing society. Our JGP teachers accomplish this in a variety of ways:

Support mastery of core areas at an accelerated pace incorporating complexity and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Develop proficiency in communication abstract and complex ideas, relationships and issues.
Develop inquiry skills at a level of complexity, abstractness and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Develop the skills of critical and creative thinking, problem solving and decision making at a level of complexity, abstractness and depth appropriate for gifted learners.
Develop understanding of concepts, themes, and issues fundamental to the discipline and to develop an appreciation for the interrelationships among the disciplines.

Our Mission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are there special classes for gifted students?

You've probably heard about special education programs for students with learning disabilities, second-language learners, etc. Like all learners, students that are gifted need to have their educational needs met appropriately. Arizona State Law requires that special services be provided for students scoring at or above the 97th percentile on a state approved test. The goal of education is to help every child make educational gains, and gifted children need to be challenged in order for this to happen.

Why does Chandler use a Self-Contained model for servicing gifted students?

While there are many different ways to meet the needs of gifted learners, having an all day, all-academic-areas program is the chosen method for Chandler's intermediate gifted students. Gifted students in a self-contained classroom spend their entire academic instruction time with other students who are their academic peers, providing them with an environment that allows them to excel. There is opportunity for continuous contact with both age and ability peers, and the exposure to a curriculum that challenges students in every area. Being among intellectual peers, students are stimulated to demonstrate how much they know instead of hiding their talents in order to be accepted as part of the norm. In a gifted classroom heightened curiosity, intellectual pursuit, and unique thinking become the norm.

What if my child only qualified in one of the three areas?

Although all of the students in a self-contained gifted classroom have been identified as gifted, the makeup of the class is a heterogeneous one. Each student in a self-contained gifted class has scored at or above the 97th percentile on an abilities (not achievement) test in at least one of the three areas - quantitative, verbal, or spatial. Some students may have qualified in one area, while others may have qualified in all three areas. The makeup of the gifted class therefore, is usually a highly diverse group. Because the test is one that measures the child's thinking abilities, and not necessarily school achievement, grade level skills are still taught, but the emphasis for all of the students is on the higher-level thinking skills and problem-solving integrated within the content areas. The teacher has the opportunity to use the strengths and gifts of the students to build on the areas that are not as strong.

Resources

Contact Us

Ms. Henry - 3rd Grade JGP

Mrs. Vanderah - 4th/5th Grade JGP

Mrs. Banas - 6th Grade JGP

Reviews

What are the JGP parents saying?

What are the JGP students saying?

“Everyone has a different way of learning, and this program enables them to learn in that way. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the kids.”

“Both of my boys like that JGP is more hands on. They’ve also said, ‘the other kids are like me.’ I would summarize it all in one word—community. I absolutely think JGP is worth looking at.”

“Jacobson is a diverse environment from a cultural perspective, from a capabilities perspective, from a behavioral perspective, from everything. In a diverse environment, they get to learn more and they grow.”

“Something I have definitely noticed since we’ve been at Jacobson, is an increase in confidence. Now that her bar has been raised and she realizes that she can meet that bar, she can even pass it.”

“We’ve looked at all the charter schools, and I don’t think anything compares to JGP.”

“Jacobson is special because you don’t only get that (gifted) environment, you get the regular school environment. It really prepares you for Jr. High and High School.”

“It’s more of a challenge for you, and you’re not getting bored when you’re learning something because you have to work hard to understand it.”

“It’s a lot of fun to be in Jacobson’s Gifted Program. It’s such a non-traditional way of learning, it’s really a great program.”

“Jacobson’s (gifted) program is really challenging, and I get the work I need to prepare for Jr. High and High School.”