Three county elementary schools – Central, Davidsonville, and Folger McKinsey – have been recognized as being among the elite in the state when it comes to educating gifted and talented students.
The schools make up one-third of those being recognized this year by the Maryland State Department of Education, which runs the Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) School Awards Program in conjunction with the Maryland Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented Education.
“Our mission is to provide the best educational environment for every child who is enrolled in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and this recognition is proof that we are going a long way toward accomplishing that mission,” Interim Superintendent Mamie J. Perkins said. “I am proud of the programs our school system has in place to address learners at all levels, and I commend all of those who work so hard every day to make this happen.”
All three schools are utilizing innovative approaches as they fully implement AACPS’ Advanced Learner Programs (ALPs) in grades 3 through 5, and the Maryland State Department of Education’s Primary Talent Development Program in kindergarten through second grade. Davidsonville, for example, has put together an elite chess program for students while Central has a debate club and offers both the Mentoring Young Mathematicians (M-squared) and Mentoring Mathematical Minds (M-cubed) programs. At Folger McKinsey, a fifth-grade golf project helps students to further understand and explore angles.
The schools will receive their awards at the Celebrating Gifted and Talented Education in Maryland banquet at North County High School on February 27.