Frequently Asked Questions

What are characteristics of gifted and talented children?

There are numerous lists of these characteristics. The following is from Guiding the Gifted Child by James T. Webb, Elizabeth A. Meckstroth, and Stephanie Tolan:

Typical Intellectual Characteristics of Gifted Children:

1. Unusually large vocabularies for their age
2. Ability to read earlier than most children, often before entering school
3. Greater comprehension of the subtleties of language
4. Longer attention span, persistence and intense concentration
5. Ability to learn basic skills more quickly and with less practice
6. Wide range of interests
7. Highly developed curiosity and a limitless supply of questions
8. Interest in experimenting and doing things differently
9. Tendency to put ideas or things together in ways that are unusual and not obvious (divergent thinking)
10. Ability to retain a great deal of information
11. Unusual sense of humor

How are gifted students educated in Eden Prairie schools?

http://www3.edenpr.org/public/programs/gifted.aspx

What options are available for mathematically gifted students?

Eden Prairie has an accelerated math program available for students in grades 5 and 6 at Oak Point. Students work on curriculum that is one year advanced (5th graders work on 6th-grade curriculum, and 6th graders work on 7th-grade curriculum). Qualification for the program is based on standardized test scores, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test results, and teacher input. For more details about math in Eden Prairie Schools, see our Math Pathways article and diagram. For options outside the school district, look at the Math options at Beyond the Classroom.

My CMS student has been invited to take the SAT or ACT test. Should she sign up for the optional Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search testing service?

There are good reasons to pay the extra fee. See NUMATS for more information.

What options are available to help my student study for the SAT or ACT?

Students at CMS who elect to test are given a short preparation guide of information about the test and sample questions (which may be all they are interested in looking at) to prepare them to take the test.

For students at the high school whose scores may determine college acceptance or scholarship, the Career Resource Center at EPHS has a listing of local class options including cost, location and dates. A free online study option is available at www.number2.com. It includes the new SAT course, the ACT, a vocabulary-only option and capability for “parent coaches” to oversee progress. High school students may be able to check out SAT or ACT review books from the high school Career Resource Center or the Hennepin County Library (quantities are limited). Review books can, of course, be purchased at a bookseller.