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Sycamore is the only private school in the state of Indiana and one of few
schools in the nation where all academics and activities are
designed for gifted kids in preschool through eighth grade. At
Sycamore gifted students find the peer group they need and an
educational program designed to help them learn most effectively
and reach their potential.
As the school's mission states: Sycamore School exists so
that academically gifted children can experience the enriched,
accelerated education they need to reach their potential and to lead
responsible, constructive, fulfilling lives. The staff and
faculty at Sycamore make every effort to fulfill this mission.
Could your child be gifted?
The formal identification of gifted children involves the
consideration of many criteria which differ depending on the age of
the child. Many gifted children, even at very young ages, display
common characteristics and abilities such as:
-
Early development of
language and verbal abilities
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Excellent memory
-
Early attainment of
developmental milestones
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Preference for older
playmates
-
Creativity
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Persistent curiosity
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High level of sensitivity
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Intensity
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Long attention span
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Concern for morality and
justice
Recognizing some of these characteristics in a child often
provides parents the first "clues" that their child may be gifted.
Click here for more information on how
Sycamore identifies children for its programs.
Why gifted education?
The gifted child needs a special kind of education that allows
him or her:
- to be actively involved in learning
- to move through subjects at a faster pace
- to learn broader, deeper, more complex and more abstract
concepts than is typically necessary for average learners
Experts agree that gifted children learn best in an
environment that is designed for them with classroom peers who learn
like they do. Good gifted education programs implement strategies
that help children develop critical and creative thinking abilities,
logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Through a blending of
acceleration, enrichment, differentiation and ability grouping,
gifted children can be stimulated to develop to their fullest
potential.
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