• Program Design

    Pensar Academy, in compliance with ARS 15-779, defines “gifted education” as the means to providing an educational program that is commensurate with the academic abilities and potential of a gifted student. The statute states that charters must provide gifted services to students who score at the 97th percentile or above on a state-board approved test for gifted identification. Pensar Academy provides gifted services to all middle school students in grades 4th-8th grade with a score at or above the 94th percentile in the verbal, quantitative, and/or spatial areas, surpassing the state standard.

    The philosophy of Pensar Academy’s gifted program is to provide services that match each identified gifted students’ academic abilities, potential, and unique social and emotional needs in order to achieve continued growth. The goals of Pensar Academy’s program include:

    • Delivering a program that mirrors the needs and diversity of the school
    • Educating the teachers in the unique academic and social needs of gifted students
    • Collaborating with classroom teachers to meet the needs of our students.

    Pensar Academy will continue to educate teachers of the unique needs of gifted students through the provision of professional development by a state-endorsed Gifted Coordinator. 

    Pensar Academy groups gifted students by:

    • Area of giftedness
    • Social and emotional needs
    • Age/grade appropriateness

    Pensar Academy delivers gifted services by:

    • Within the regular classroom, students receive differentiated instruction and participate in flexible groupings.
    • The gifted coordinator consults with classroom teachers, as needed.
    • The gifted teacher provides pull out gifted services in the integrated, verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas. Examples of techniques that are employed include Project Based Learning, Socratic seminars, and shared inquiry, which incorporate critical thinking skills. Academic instruction is provided at the appropriate depth and complexity for our intermediate students.

    Gifted students utilize Project-Based Learning that incorporates gifted best practices that are individually tailored to each student’s needs. Project Based Learning incorporates the state standards through hands-on learning with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

    Pensar Academy involves parents in the Gifted Program through:

    • A quarterly showcase called “Celebration of Learning” where students share their projects from the PBL Process.
    • Resources for parents about Gifted Learners.
    • Quarterly parent surveys.