Enrichment & Extension

Enrichment and Extension is the name of the program that serves 2nd-8th grade students at ANCS who were found eligible for gifted services through the state mandated multi-criteria screening and testing process.

The purpose of Enrichment and Extension at ANCS is to support students in grades 2-8 in reaching their full academic potential through differentiated instruction. While ANCS’s general curriculum fosters curiosity, encourages problem-solving and innovation and pushes all students to utilize critical and creative thinking skills, the Enrichment & Extension program is designed to develop advanced critical and creative thinking skills, independent inquiry, and promote academic growth beyond grade-level expectations.

ANCS believes that all students benefit from learning in diverse, inclusive classroom communities where they can learn from and with one another. As a school, we do not separate students into permanent academic tracks based on perceived ability. Instead, we are committed to providing appropriate challenges and support within heterogeneous learning environments. For this reason, we use the Cluster Grouping Model for Enrichment & Extension services rather than a traditional pull-out model. This approach allows identified students to receive the differentiated instruction and advanced learning opportunities required by the Georgia Department of Education while remaining fully engaged members of their classroom community. Students continue to learn alongside peers with a wide range of strengths, perspectives, and experiences while receiving instruction designed to meet their unique learning needs. This model reflects ANCS’s belief that academic challenge, equity, inclusion, and community are not competing priorities. Through thoughtful differentiation, gifted-endorsed teachers provide opportunities for advanced learners to experience greater depth, complexity, creativity, and independence while maintaining the collaborative and inclusive learning environment that is central to the ANCS mission.

Students in 2nd-8th grades who meet Georgia Department of Education eligibility criteria for gifted education services are eligible to participate in Enrichment and Extension.

ANCS utilizes a universal screening process for all students in grades 1-7 through MAP assessment data. Parents and teachers may refer students for consideration to Enrichment and Extension. ANCS follows the Georgia Department of Education regulations and students must meet state eligibility criteria to receive services. Families or teachers with questions about a student’s eligibility may contact the school’s gifted coordinator to discuss the screening and identification process.

ANCS utilizes a universal screening process for all students in grades 1-7 through MAP assessment data and does not take parent or teacher referrals. Families or teachers with questions about a student’s eligibility may contact the school’s gifted coordinator to discuss the screening and identification process.

Yes. The Georgia Department of Education mandates eligibility criteria used to determine gifted eligibility and ANCS follows those mandates.

Students who have been identified as gifted in another Georgia public school district will continue to receive gifted services upon enrollment at ANCS. However, there is no reciprocity between states. Students with documentation of gifted eligibility in another state are referred for the next testing cycle at ANCS.

No. Private evaluations may be reviewed as supplemental information but cannot be used in place of state-approved assessments to establish eligibility for Enrichment and Extension services. Eligibility decisions are made by the school’s eligibility team using Georgia Department of Education-approved criteria and assessment instruments.

ANCS uses the Cluster Grouping Model to serve students daily in their regular classroom where their teacher is certified and gifted-endorsed. At the middle campus students receive differentiated instruction from gifted-endorsed teachers in two content areas. At both campuses, instruction is differentiated through increased complexity, depth, pacing, student choice, independent inquiry, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative thinking opportunities. Additionally, students and teachers may utilize learning contracts, goal-setting conferences, and reflection activities to support personalized learning experiences.

Students in the Enrichment and Extension programs will receive services daily, for at least one-sixth of the instructional day or its annual equivalent.

No. Since students will receive their services in the general education classroom from gifted-endorsed teachers, students will not miss any core classroom instruction.

General education teachers who hold a gifted endorsement.

MAP scores of all students in first through seventh grades are screened for initial eligibility. All data is uploaded into a portal that is aligned with the state criteria for gifted eligibility. Additionally, an eligibility review team examines all assessment data to ensure that eligibility determinations are accurate, consistent, and aligned with Georgia Department of Education requirements.

Yes. Students continue to participate in universal screening through MAP assessments, and future assessment data may indicate the need for additional evaluation.

Families will receive written notification of eligibility results after the evaluation process is completed.

Please reach out to Director of Instructional Alignment & Gifted Services Lara Zelski at lzelski@atlncs.org.