About The Program

Every student is unique and must receive services appropriate to his or her needs and aspirations.  The intellectually and academically gifted student is provided service under the Kansas state mandate. Identification for student services include strong academic performance and demonstration of superior accomplishment in any academic area. Individualized, differentiated activities are provided to help maximize the full potential of every gifted student.  Each student's I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) is carefully designed to fulfill special needs as diagnosed by family/professionals, and to inspire self-confidence, encourage interests, foster creativity, and enhance communication skills.  The enrichment of the students' self esteem and self-awareness is an important goal of the Shawnee Mission's Gifted Education Program.

Gifted elementary students attend special classes in "center" schools designated in each geographical area to provide peer interaction in conjunction with individualized instruction. Gifted middle/high school students have the option to take a gifted class, either in a S.E.E.K. classroom and/or compacting academic classes to work on I.E.P. goals or special research projects.

Focus of the program kindergarten through grade twelve:

• Self Actualization
  fulfilling one's potential by developing a healthy self-concept
  and attaining one's highest goals
• Interpersonal Skills
  learning to live cooperatively in an interdependent world without sacrificing personal value systems
• Investigative Skills
  developing methods of independent, investigative research
• Thinking Skills
  organizing facts with one's own personal perspective to respond with flexibility to challenges
• Technology
  developing the necessary skills to function in a technology-based society
• Post Secondary
  providing students with the skills needed to attain personal goals after high school graduation