Kent County Public Schools is committed to providing rigorous instructional programs that encourage all students to realize their full potential as learners. A continuum of programs and services are provided.  

 

 

Students come to our schools with unique combinations of abilities and talents, learning rates, learning styles, and learning experiences.  

 

We believe that our schools have the responsibility to:

• Recognize demonstrated and potential talents.

• Support professional learning for differentiated instruction by aiding curriculum compacting and acceleration.

• Provide flexible and multifaceted programs which enable students with talent to attain their full potential in a variety of appropriately challenging learning environments.

 The philosophy adopted by Kent County Public Schools reflects contemporary knowledge and thinking about the nature of giftedness, recognizes “talent behaviors” and fosters the development of an inclusive, rather than an exclusive, approach to gifted/talented education.

School-based teams review multiple criteria in order to identify students in need of Gifted and Talented (GT) services. Data sources include academic achievement, test scores, student products or performances. 

These students require learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum. Students’ learning may be enriched and accelerated, and students may participate in advanced-level coursework at their local schools.

Instruction is differentiated to provide all students appropriate pacing and support necessary for advanced-level learning. The school team informs parents about how the school will address students’ identified needs.

The Primary Talent Development (PTD) program, implemented by the classroom teacher in all KCPS elementary schools, provides all PreK-Grade Two students with opportunities to develop talents and demonstrate thinking skills through hands-on experiences and explorations. 

Curricula include highly-challenging content and materials that differentiate and extend Kent County Public Schools' Curriculum in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Differentiated curricula provide enrichment or acceleration and are usually implemented through flexible grouping within the regular classroom.

Secondary schools offer a sequence of rigorous courses as part of the STEM program. Courses include advanced content and emphasize abstract and complex ideas. Kent County High School offers Advanced Placement courses as well as Dual Enrollment opportunities.