The following information is provided from local schools who are members of CGCC. Each was asked to answer the following as it relates to gifted and talented students:

• Practices related to identification
• The delivery of instruction
• Grouping, cross grade work, and acceleration policies
• Independent study options
• Parental involvement
• Any other goals and objectives 

Science & Arts Academy

Vanguard Academy

(MAGE) Midwest Academy for Gifted Education

Quest Academy

The Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove

Preschool - 8th Grade

Practices related to identification

Your child’s journey at The Avery Coonley School begins with the online inquiry and application form (these can be found at www.averycoonley.org/admissionforms).

If your child is applying for our Early Childhood Program, the Admissions Office will contact you to schedule a screening date. 

If your child is applying to Kindergarten through 8th grade, you will be notified of testing procedures and deadlines. To qualify for the next step in the admissions process, children must have a full scale IQ score in the 95th percentile or above with consistent subtest scores.  

For children applying to grades 1-8, copies of report cards, achievement test results and recommendations are also required.  More information about the admissions process can be found at www.averycoonley.org/admissionprocess

The delivery of instruction 

At The Avery Coonley School we understand that gifted education is more than simply an accelerated curriculum. We strive to educate the whole child and foster the unique talents and meet the special needs of gifted learners. Our classrooms, lessons, and expectations are designed in the best interest of gifted learners:

• ACS classes consist of like-minded peer groups where academic motivation is the norm. We are a place where it is "cool to be smart.”
  
• Perfectionism is a characteristic of many gifted children. Risk-taking is encouraged and acknowledged here and mistakes are viewed as invitations to learn.
  
• Flexibility within the classroom (both physical setting and climate) creates a relaxed yet challenging environment that encourages responsibility and autonomy.
  
• A multitude of opportunities exist for hands-on, less-structured learning experiences, including many long-term and cross-curricular projects, dramatizations, and fairs.
  
• Students are allowed to quickly explore higher levels of thinking with fewer rote-learning activities and repetitions. Boredom is not an option.
  
• Opportunities for both independent and collaborative group work encourage students to engage their own interests and benefit from different perspectives.
  
• Emphasis on both divergent and convergent thinking encourages creative problem solving.
  

Student to Teacher Ratio

Early Childhood Program – seven to one

Junior Kindergarten Program – eight to one

Kindergarten – eleven to one

Groups One to Eight – Sixteen to one

Faculty & Administration

Approximately 70% of the School's faculty and administration holds a master's degree; the average length of service is 12 years.

The School is a member of National Association of Independent Schools, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools, Independent School Management, National Association for Gifted Children, and Illinois Association for Gifted Children.

Middle School faculty act as advisors to students, offering guidance in areas of academics, study skills, time management, and peer relations.

ACS is governed by a Board of Trustees which holds regular meetings each month except during March, July, August, and December. At these meetings, financial statements are reviewed, committee reports are received, and questions of policy are discussed and acted upon.

Student Activities 

Student Council provides leadership training and opportunities for school and community service for students in Groups 1-8. ACS students enjoy participating in a number of academic competitions, including spelling bees, geography bees, and numerous math competitions.

Many clubs and activities allow ACS students to pursue their interests in greater depth. These options generally include Art Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Choir, Computer Club, Intramurals, MATHCOUNTS, Orchestra, STEAM, Tech/Video Club, and Yearbook. Sports offered include soccer (co-ed), volleyball (girls), basketball (boys and girls), and track and field (co-ed).

Many community service initiatives take place throughout the year, most prompted by student leadership and interest at all grade levels.

Traditions

Many of the activities at ACS date back to the very earliest days of the school. These much-anticipated events become milestones for the students and form some of the fondest memories for alumni. They also provide valuable opportunities for students, teachers, staff, and parents to gather together for friendship and fun. School wide activities include the Halloween Parade, Thanksgiving Program, Holiday Presentations and Sing-A-Long, Shakespeare, Greek, and Americana Fests, Spring Fair, and Grandparents’ Day. Group specific activities include First Group Circus, Second Group Maple Tapping, Third Group trip to Wisconsin, Fourth Group Native American Fair, Fifth Group Egyptian Mastaba, Sixth Group World’s Fair, Seventh Group trip to Washington, D.C., and Eighth Group trip to Quebec.  

Parental involvement

There are several opportunities to be involved as a parent of an Avery Coonley Student. Our Home and School Association organizes and sponsors several popular events, including our Fall Fest, Holiday House, Fun Run, and Enrichment programming. We have volunteer opportunities available through our Development Office, including assisting with our annual Auction. Last but not least, we always have a need for Room Parents, Parent Ambassadors, and chaperones.  

Any other goals and objectives

We believe that the joy and excitement of learning must begin early in life. We place a high premium on developing the desire in our students to become critical thinkers and independent, life-long learners.   We assist our students in realizing their intellectual, emotional, social, creative, and physical potential by promoting academic achievement, character development, self-reliance, self-confidence, independent thought, and personal fitness.  We recognize and are sensitive to the unique needs of gifted children. Within a traditional structure, we provide acceleration and enrichment, and foster a supportive atmosphere that provides opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and risk-taking.  We believe that diversity is the foundation for a strong, competent, and compassionate community. Therefore, we value racial, religious, economic, and cultural diversity in our student body, faculty, and staff.  We strive to build a community that encourages understanding and mutual respect and nurtures appreciation of the individual, civility, gratitude, honesty, kindness and consideration, responsibility. 

Vanguard Gifted Academy, Batavia

Kindergarten - 5th Grade

Practices related to identification

At Vanguard students entering at 5 are evaluated by teachers and then tested at age 6.  All other students entering the school at 6 or older need to have IQ testing.  We are looking for an IQ of 125+ 

Delivery of instruction

Instruction is delivered in small group teacher-led mini-lessons, teacher-led whole group problem solving, through the use of technology, and through personal and partner exploration

Grouping, cross grade work, and acceleration policies

All groups are of mixed ages. Vanguard has three learning Bands based upon developmental stages: primary, intermediate, and middle. Mini-lessons for foundational skills and concepts are given at each student's learning level regardless of age. Problem-based learning is most often completed with Band level students. By eliminating the age = level learning correlation and teaching children at their personal learning level the "acceleration" concept is no longer needed.

Independent study options 

Students have opportunities to engage in independent study within the curriculum exploration and during independent project work.

Parental involvement

Parents are asked to help on occasion with transportation, Showcase Nights, or field trips. Attending the 4 Showcases each year is the most important part of parent participation.

Any other goals and objectives

Vanguard's goal is to open the minds of the gifted learners unleashing their individual potential so they may become well-adjusted adults invested in bettering our world.

(MAGE) Midwest Academy for Gifted Education, Chicago

Junior Kindergarten - High School

MAGE is the only private school in Illinois committed to growing gifted students from junior kindergarten through 12th grade. Our innovative approach to education focuses on the whole child—building soft skills alongside performance to ensure success in a rapidly evolving world. We offer a robust curriculum in an expanding downtown facility with easy access to public transportation, I-90/I-94 and Lake Shore Drive. MAGE is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education and is an active participant in giftedness research.

Practices Related to Identification

Applicants must submit:

· IQ or standardized test scores in the top 2% (IQ 130 or above).

· School report card or progress report, if applicable.

· One teacher recommendation or equivalent for children before age six and two recommendations after age six (if the child has been in school). 

· If an application is accepted, MAGE will conduct a family interview and a shadow visit; additional support documentation may be requested by the admissions committee.

· $50 application fee

Additional details may be found on the MAGE admissions page.

Delivery of Instruction

We are a progressive school for students ages 4-18, offering classic instruction with progressive practices. MAGE students learn to be generators of ideas, to create, communicate and collaborate—skill sets that are not replaceable and are most sought-after across all fields. Our students learn how to learn; they are expected to synchronize information across multiple domains. We achieve this through inquiry-based projects, critical thinking, applied knowledge, and mastery. We gamify learning, working on logical development across disciplines.

We supplement our curriculum with weekly field trips and hands-on experiences, opportunity to learn foreign languages, and whole-child classes including yoga, theater, and Tae Kwon Do.

MAGE is a homework-free and grade-free school. We pre-assess where applicable to ensure the right skills are taught, and we measure learning outcome to guide further instruction. We aim to give just-right opportunities to learn—we take each student's personality into account, providing rigor and differentiation without pressure.

Curriculum

MAGE students learn without limits. With individualized attention and skill-based cohorts, our students are 3+ grades ahead of their peers, on average. Lessons are customized to each child, accounting for social-emotional level.

Subject matter blocks allow students to travel to their appropriate academic levels. Learning happens 1:1 with teachers or in small groups where skill-based peer matching is available; student groupings are flexible and are evaluated for each unit.

Students generalize their studies through projects, experiential learning, and games. We have a strong focus on arts, engineering, and hands-on activities, as well as quality outdoor and indoor play and social time appropriate for each age bracket.

With small 5:1 student staff ratios and an innovative curriculum, MAGE attracts top educator talent. Our teachers are uniquely qualified to work with highly gifted children, keeping them engaged to maximize learning potential. All MAGE teachers have experience in giftedness and differentiated instruction, where learning is custom-tailored to each child.  

Please refer to this page for curriculum details.

Grouping, Cross-Grade Work, and Acceleration Policies

MAGE does not impose age-restrictions for grouping. We believe that students should be grouped based on learning level and soft skill readiness in order to optimize their growth. In order to provide both academics and social/emotional learning opportunities, we have homeroom, lunch and physical education opportunities for same age-peer interactions. We provide free movement between age groups during recess, school-day clubs, and special events. We are strongly committed to maximizing the potential of each individual and our processes reflect inherent flexibility accordingly.

Independent Study Options

As an inquiry-based school, we offer plenty of natural opportunities for student-driven learning. We are working on reciprocal relationships with colleges and universities and are building a bank of mentors for students with a profound interest in various areas of study.

Parental Involvement

We encourage parents to be active partners in their child's learning. Each family is required to provide 15 hours of volunteering time per year to ensure strong connectivity with our community. We value the family unit and understand that you may participate in your child's schooling as you see fit. We provide plenty of ways to be involved, and always want to hear your feedback.

Any Other Goals and Objectives

Our number one goal is the social and emotional support of our students and helping them grow into fulfilled, confident, well-rounded individuals with exposure to global citizenship and a variety of skills. Our goals are to teach to the strengths and to scaffold the weaknesses of each student.

We are raising happy kids who will be future explorers, pioneers, and leaders—people who know how to communicate their ideas to others and gain followings.

We are preparing children to be successful in any environment, in any culture, leveraging any technology, and in any education or career path that might exist in the future.

 Quest Academy, Palatine

Preschool - 8th Grade

Practices related to identification

Quest Academy is a private and independent school for students in preschool through 8th grade. Quest Academy provides a nurturing educational environment for gifted students by providing a challenging curriculum and fostering a love of learning. There are numerous Admissions events hosted throughout the year, but the best way to get to know Quest is by scheduling a tour with the Admissions Team. Please visit our website to schedule a tour: Inquire today.

The K-8 admissions process requires completion of the following steps: Inquiry Form, School Tour, Application, IQ Testing, School Records and Student Visit Day experience. After completion of all steps, the application will be under review by the Admissions Team. Full Scale IQ score of 125 is the minimum requirement for admission. Preschool and Junior Kindergarten requires completion of all the steps, with  IQ testing.

For more information on the Admissions process, please visit our website: Admissions Process.

Delivery of instruction

Quest Academy values the importance of a well-rounded educational experience for gifted students. Our program is designed specifically for the gifted child and our faculty has the proper training to acknowledge, appreciate and accommodate the skills and traits associated with giftedness. Students are placed with age appropriate and like-minded peers, formulating thoughtful opinions. Classroom sizes are kept small with no more than 17 students in each class.

We understand that the needs of each child are different from those of others. The curriculum is aligned with state and national standards without the constriction of grade-level constraints. Our “no-ceiling” approach allows students to grow at their own pace and our faculty can tailor the learning experience to the children in the classroom.

Students have outstanding gifts and talents, which can only be enhanced by good character. Quest Academy serves as a community of educators who teach, guide and exercise the valuable characteristics that encourages students to develop respect for self and others. Our Character Education program is part of the weekly curriculum across all grade levels and includes participation in service-learning projects in our local communities.

To learn more about our curriculum, please visit our website Academic Life.

Grouping, cross grade work, and acceleration policies

Quest Academy is committed to fostering a nurturing community where students feel they belong.  Teachers are specifically trained in gifted education and use innovative methods to guide students and ignite their curiosity.  Students thrive in small classes with like-minded peers where they can formulate thoughtful opinions and explore their interests at a deep level.

Preschool through 5th grade students benefit from a self-contained classroom model that expands to include classes with course specific experts in art, drama, music, Spanish, physical education, library, science and computer science/artificial intelligence.  Additionally, math is regrouped across grade levels for advanced learners.  Middle school follows a schedule designed for the individual academic abilities of each student. 

Independent study options

Our Middle School students have an option to select a flex subject or area of interest.  We also offer various extracurricular and clubs that students can join. This is a great way to meet new friends within the Quest community.

Parental involvement

The Parent School Association (PSA) is managed by an elected Board to support parent and family social events throughout the school year.  These events help build close school family relationships, which have been described as a core component of Quest foundation.

Any other goals and objectives

Gifted children benefit from a robust and intentional Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that is designed to provide them with the tools necessary to address perfectionism, self discipline, healthy relationships, responsible decision-making and problem-solving strategies. Our teachers provide SEL lessons into their classrooms and we are committed to remain at the forefront of this initiative.