Gifted Programs & REACH

Group of REACH students working on an assignment at their table

Welcome to Gifted Services

At Madison School District, our Gifted services focus on the comprehensive development of our K-8 gifted learners. We deliver specialized daily instruction designed to engage advanced learners, cultivate critical thinking, and provide the ongoing academic support necessary for academic excellence.

Philosophy

We recognize giftedness as a unique journey requiring specialized, strength-based support. Aligned with the district’s vision to inspire a passion for learning, we create engaging environments that empower advanced learners to reach their full potential. We prioritize meaningful peer connections, student-led discovery, and the specific social-emotional needs of gifted students.

Program Highlights

Advanced Academics: We plan learning experiences to promote deep exploration and complex problem-solving and real-world application.
Flexible Classrooms: From clustered groups to self-contained classrooms, we challenge every student in an environment tailored to their needs.
Student Ownership: We empower students to actively shape their education through personal goal-setting and classroom choices.
Future-Ready Skills: We focus on critical thinking, creativity, and innovation to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Expert Teachers: Our educators receive ongoing, specialized training and coaching to deliver the highest quality instruction that best meets the needs of gifted learners.
Inclusive Screening: We use fair, multi-faceted testing to identify gifted learners from all backgrounds across our community.
Family Partnerships: We collaborate with parents through targeted resources and education nights to support the journey of raising a gifted child.
Exciting Extracurriculars: We offer a robust schedule of academic competitions and enrichment activities to further challenge and inspire our students.

1. Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (Grades K-4)

To ensure appropriate academic placement for students in grades K-4, Madison utilizes the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM). This framework allows gifted learners to flourish by being grouped with intellectual peers in an environment that enriches and enhances the standard curriculum. Students are immersed in inquiry, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking. Within this model, differentiated instruction and curriculum are delivered daily across all content areas. A gifted-endorsed teacher leads each cluster classroom, supported by the Gifted Coordinator in planning and implementing tailored instruction. To qualify for the SCGM, a student must achieve a score in the 97th percentile on state-approved assessments. This model is currently offered at Madison Camelview , Madison Rose Lane , and Madison Heights .

Specific content replacement for math and language arts is provided exclusively at Madison Simis. Qualified gifted students receive their daily instruction in math and/or reading from an endorsed gifted specialist instead of in a general education setting. This program utilizes accelerated and enriched materials designed for an appropriate challenge level, often up to one year beyond grade level. The instructional pace is rapid, emphasizing depth, precision, and clarity during discussions. Students actively engage in inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and creative thinking within this specialized model.

2. Honors/Advanced (Grades 5-8)

The 5–8 Honors Program provides high-ability and high-achieving students in grades 5 through 8 with a rapid-paced, rigorous curriculum focused on content enrichment, enhancement, and a one-year academic acceleration. This complex coursework sets high expectations for student performance and actively engages participants through verbal reasoning, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and communication skills. In addition to fostering personal development, the program prepares students for high school Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.

To qualify for the program, students must demonstrate the potential to accelerate through content standards, commit to rapid, in-depth study, and meet specific entry criteria. Placement requires either scoring in the 97th percentile on an approved state test or meeting designated school standards for honors placement.

All schools offer advanced mathematics and English language arts for 7th and 8th grades. The Honors/Advanced model is available at Madison No. 1 , Madison Park, and Madison Meadows .

3. REACH – Profoundly Gifted (Grades 1-8)

The REACH (Rigorous, Enriched, Accelerated Curriculum for the Highly Gifted) program provides an all-day differentiated learning experience for highly gifted students in grades 1-8. The program is hosted at Madison Heights Elementary (grades 1-4) and Madison Park Middle School (grades 5-8). The Middle School program features literature integration within the social studies curriculum, along with Honors Science with STEM integration.

Students engage in a challenging curriculum accelerated up to two grade levels in math and English language arts (ELA). This environment allows students to work at an academic level commensurate with their high abilities while interacting with intellectual peers.

By the end of 8th grade, students can earn high school credit in ELA, Math, and Spanish. The curriculum emphasizes higher-order critical thinking, personal responsibility, and community involvement.

Each year, students develop a Differentiated Educational Plan (DEP) to research and present on an area of interest. Additionally, 7th and 8th-grade students participate in specialized REACH overnight trips, such as the Catalina Island Marine Institute, AstroCamp, or STEM camp.

Highly qualified, gifted-endorsed teachers lead REACH classes. To qualify, students must meet satisfy one of the following pathways:

Pathway A: Screening
1. A composite score in the 99th percentile on the CogAT or NGAT.
Pathway B: Clinical Assessment
1. A Full Scale IQ or General Ability Index (GAI) score of 139 or higher on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC).
2. If the 139 score is not met, a review of sub-battery scores (Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative equivalents) will be conducted for eligibility.

Additionally, potential REACH students are required to be assessed in reading and math using Madison’s Northwest Evaluation Association/Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).

Incoming Grades 1-2 Reading: A passing score on the district’s reading assessment.

Incoming Grades 3-8: An 80 percentile or higher for math and reading.

Gifted Contacts

For more information regarding Gifted Programming & Identification, please contact ElizaBeth Warner.

To register for screening dates, or if you have questions regarding Gifted screening, please contact Debi Wheeler.

For more information regarding the REACH - Profoundly Gifted Program, please contact Heidi Conovera.

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