Gifted Program

The purpose of the Social Circle City Schools Gifted Program is to provide students in grades kindergarten through twelve, who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual, academic, creative, and/or artistic ability with differentiated services to address their exceptionalities.

The goals of the Social Circle City Schools Gifted Program are:

• To help students become critical thinkers and problem solvers
• To guide students in developing and applying a growth mindset
• To provide opportunities for students to become self-directed learners
• To challenge students with a more rigorous curriculum

The curricula for gifted students align the gifted education goals with the current Georgia standards. Curriculum objectives focus on developing cognitive learning, research and reference, and meta-cognitive skills at each grade grouping, using principles of differentiation. 

Courses of study will be appropriately modified in content, teaching strategies, and expectations of student mastery.  Curriculum objectives shall focus on academic skills, using differentiated principles to provide opportunities for gifted students to achieve at levels commensurate with their identified abilities. 

Gifted services are delivered using the following state-approved models:

• Social Circle Primary School: Resource, Innovative, and Cluster Grouping
  • For additional information, please contact the school's Gifted Chair: Marla Johnson at 770-464-1411 or  marla.johnson@socialcircleschools.org
• Social Circle Elementary School:  Advanced Content, Cluster Grouping, and Innovative
  • For additional information, please contact the school's Gifted Chair: Jennifer Forster at jennifer.forster@socialcircleschools.org or at 770-464-2664
• Social Circle Middle School: Advanced Content, Cluster Grouping, Innovative, and Collaborative
  • For additional information, please contact the school's Gifted Chair: Kathy Boyd at 770-464-1932 or kathy.boyd@socialcircleschools.org 
• Social Circle High School: Advanced Content, Advanced Placement, and Cluster Grouping
  • For additional information, please contact the school's Gifted Chair: Casey Wilkerson at 770-464-2611 or casey.wilkerson@socialcircleschools.org

The State Board of Education determines eligibility criteria for placement in this program. For a summary of those criteria or for further information about the Social Circle City School System Program for Gifted Students, please contact the Gifted Program Chair at your child’s school or :

Eligibility criteria for placement in this program shall coincide with criteria set by regulations of the State Department of Education Code IDDD, Rule 160-4-2-.38, Education Program for Gifted Students.  A student who has been officially placed in the gifted program may continue to receive gifted program services as long as he/she meets the following continuation criteria:

• The student maintains satisfactory performance in gifted education classes. 
• Satisfactory performance is indicated by the student maintaining an average grade of at least 80% in each class in which gifted services are provided.
• The student is expected to complete all required assignments and to actively participate in class activities.
• Student performance is reviewed annually to determine continued eligibility.

NAGC (National Association of Gifted Children) offers a quarterly publication for parents called Parenting for High Potential.  Find out more here.

NAGC Parent Tip Articles

The GaDOE Gifted Department has a list of multiple resources for parents and families. Scroll to the bottom of the page to access them.

Riverside Insights Parent Resources (CogAT and other assessments)