The Gifted Program at
Kempsville High School
The mission statement for the Virginia Beach Gifted Program
is to challenge students with differentiated interdisciplinary opportunities,
to provide a flexible innovative curriculum which promotes self-esteem,
productivity, creativity and leadership, and to develop individual talents,
special abilities, and a commitment to excellence.
Kempsville High
School provides students with academically challenging classes
and with enrichment opportunities through the gifted program. These
opportunities include:
SPARKS and Think
Tank for Superthinkers
SPARKS is a ½ credit course offered
to juniors and seniors during study block / lunch of the fall semester.
Think Tank, also a ½ credit course, is offered to freshmen and
sophomores during the spring semester. These seminar style classes will
be offered third and/or fourth block.
Breakin’
the Rules. Kandinsky. Warhol. Picasso. Freud. Jung. Fosse. Tharp.
Ginsberg. Pinter. The Beatles. Elvis. Each challenged the established
rules of the generation. What were the rules? Did they need to be broken?
Why? How were they broken? How were their perspectives different? What
was the purpose of the challenge? The intent? Were they successful critically?
Artistically? Personally? Aesthetically? Find out more in SPARKS,
Fall 2005.
Creative
Writing
Creative Writing is a ½ credit course offered to all gifted students
with an interest in writing creatively. Students will learn the creative
process, connect with successful authors, learn the art of conferencing
and editing and will study the crafts of poetry, fiction and drama.
This class is offered block 4 during the fall semester.
Independent
Study
Students can submit a proposal for approval in a specialized study in
an area of interest. Students are required to keep a log of their hours,
meet with a mentor teacher, and show evidence of scholarship.
The Gifted Program also offers credit courses after
school. These are subject to enrollment and are not offered at every
school. However, any student in any gifted program is eligible to enroll
in the class. Students must provide their own transportation to these
classes. The offerings are:
American Legal System
Human Anatomy
Creative Writing
Photography
Criminal Psychology
Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA)
This ½ day magnet school is located at Old Dominion in Norfolk.
Students attend three blocks at their regular high school and attend
GSA for three hours daily during the regular academic year. Transportation
is provided. There is no tuition charge. Admission to this program is
by audition only. Visit the website at www.gsarts.net
Governor’s Residential
School for the Gifted
A month long summer residential program in the arts, humanities, and
the sciences located at Virginia universities. It is the goal of each
Governor’s School to provide opportunities for intellectual as
well as social and emotion growth. In the company of dedicated, highly
skilled professionals representing a variety of careers, students are
encouraged to establish and fulfill their own academic and artistic
goals. Students apply for these positions at their individual high schools.
There is no tuition charge. The VDOE maintains a web site with information
on all Virginia Governor’s Schools at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/Govschools.
Gifted Identification
If you were identified in elementary or middle school, you are still
classified as a part of the gifted program. Stop by the gifted office
in front of the auditorium for more information. Referral ProcessIf
you are not currently for one of the gifted programs (intellectual,
visual arts and/or performing arts) and are interested in the program,
stop by the Gifted Office located in front of the auditorium for information.
For more information, contact
Elaine P DensonGifted
Resource Teacher
474-8400 ext 58105
edenson@vbschools.com
