The Discovery Program

The self-contained Discovery Program is a fulltime service model designed to meet the needs of exceptionally intelligent, high achieving students whose needs cannot easily be met in the general classroom.  The program serves students in grades three through six in multi-aged classes.  The curriculum addresses the district's essential academic learning requirements and extends into accelerated instruction appropriate for intellectually gifted children.

Students in the Discovery Program work at accelerated levels to match their unique developmental needs.  Pacing is more rapid, activities are more rigorous and students are expected to demonstrate high level qualities of self-directed learners.  The program is designed to reflect challenges most suited for exceptionally gifted students with very high intellectual levels of achievement. 

Selection for the Discovery Program reflects state guidelines for identifying intellectually gifted students.  Criteria include achievement and IQ tests as well as teacher observation.  All scores are placed on a matrix and a selection index score is derived.  Typically, seven to nine students at each grade level meet the criteria.  We carefully select students who clearly have unique intellectual needs and strive to maintain small classes so that these needs can be met through a curriculum that emphasizes individualization.

Other enrichment options are being explored by a district committee.

Questions about the program can be directed to:

Judy Yasutake - Gifted Program Coordinator
425-413-3400
 

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Last Updated Friday March 04, 2005

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