Advanced Learner Services
In the Saint Paul Public Schools talent development model, all students have educational experiences that provide personalized learning. Differentiated instruction is used to support learning and provide challenge. Our work supports racial equity outcomes designed to support learning through culturally responsive teaching. In core classes, electives and through additional program offerings, there are multiple opportunities to explore, discover, and expand talents.
Schools across the district offer various enrichment and accelerated support options. These levels of service can include:
- A classroom teacher trained to meet the unique needs of advanced learners
- Classroom instruction with groups of other advanced learners
- Lessons that provide greater depth, complexity, intellectual demand and accelerated pacing
- Enrichment opportunities (such as field trips, guest speakers, residencies, service learning, etc.)
- Student clubs and activities (such as student council, math club, school newspaper)
- Academic competitions (such as Lego League, chess club, Destination Imagination)
- Single-subject or grade level acceleration
- Learning opportunities that focus on social and emotional development
SPPS also offers specialized school options K-12. These programs offer specifically themed learning opportunities in addition to the District's core curriculum.
Specialized school site options include:
- Art Focus
- Music Focus
- Language Immersion
- Gifted and Talented
- Montessori
- Culture and Enrichment
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
- Expeditionary Learning
- International Baccalaureate
- Advanced Placement Programs
Art Focus
Music Focus
Language Immersion
Gifted and Talented
Montessori
Culture and Enrichment
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Expeditionary Learning
International Baccalaureate
Advanced Placement Programs
If you are interested in enrolling in one (or more) of our SPPS schools, contact or visit the Student Placement Center.
For information on applications and enrollment contact the student placement center.
Accelerated Services K-5
Minnesota Department of Education Definition of Gifted and Talented,
Approved by Minnesota Department of Education, August 2005
Gifted and talented children and youth are those students with outstanding abilities, identified at preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. The potential of gifted students requires differentiated and challenging educational programs and/or services beyond those provided in the general school program. Students capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement or potential ability in any one or more of the following areas: general intellectual, specific academic subjects, creativity, leadership and visual and performing arts. Visit the Minnesota Department of Education, Gifted Education website.
Acceleration is an intervention that moves students through an educational program at a more rapid rate than their age-mates. The goal of acceleration is to tailor the level and complexity of the curriculum to the ability and academic readiness of individual children. The Institute for Research and Policy (IRPA) Guidelines for Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy contains an easy-to-use checklist to guide policy development. Visit the IRPA website.
A variety of enrichment and/or accelerated service opportunities are available at many SPPS elementary school sites. Learn more about elementary school site offerings by visiting Saint Paul Public Schools Student Placement Centers website.
SPPS Elementary Programming includes the following schoolwide programs at various elementary schools across the district.
- Achievement Plus
- Arts and Culture
- Gifted and Talented Magnet (Serving Grades 1-8)
- International Baccalaureate
- Language Immersion
- Montessori
- School Wide Enrichment Model
- Science Focus