Academically Talented Programs Application Process
September 2008

In Person Application Process Must be completed by 12/20/07 Gifted Application PreK-8 2008-2009 Filing Deadline is 12/20/2007 English Español Century Honors Program for High School Students 2008-2009 Filing Deadline is 12/20/2007 Application Packet Extra Teacher Recommendation Forms How to Enroll Your Child in School

The Yonkers Public Schools is accepting applications until December 20, 2007, for students interested in entering the Academically Talented programs in September 2008:

• Grades Prekindergarten through 5 at the PEARLS Hawthorne Elementary School – currently enrolled students may remain through grade 8.

• Grades 6 and 7 at Yonkers Middle School in the Academically Talented program – the program will grow to include grade 8 in September 2009.

• Grade 8 at Museum Middle School in the Academically Talented program – the middle school program will be phased-out of the school in June 2009.

In Person Application Process
The application process must be completed by the deadline date, December 20, 2007, in person only at the Yonkers Public Schools’ Information Center, 28 Wells Avenue, Bldg. 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Students Not Currently Enrolled
For students who are not currently enrolled in the district, parents/guardians MUST enroll for September 2008 by December 20th.  Review the Enrollment section of the website, or call the Information Center, 376-8050, for information about the documents required to register children. 

• At the time of registration, parents must request that their child be evaluated for the academically talented/gifted programs.

Students Currently Enrolled
For currently enrolled Yonkers Public School students, parents/guardians MUST complete and submit the In-District Application for Gifted Programs in person only at the Information Center. The application is also available at any public school.

Eligibility and Selection Process
To be considered for admission into the gifted programs, all applicants must, at the time of application, be residents of the City of Yonkers.

• For the prekindergarten program, children must have been born in the calendar year 2004.

• For students entering prekindergarten, kindergarten and grade 1 - Students will be individually evaluated by a school psychologist using a nationally normed standardized aptitude test.

• For students entering grades 2 through 8 - Students will be evaluated using multiple measures - a nationally normed standardized test of learning ability, the New York State Testing Program or equivalent assessments, report card grades and teacher recommendations.

Eligible students will be evaluated by professional staff members. Evaluation is available for limited English speaking students.

Program Description

The PEARLS Hawthorne Elementary School Academically Talented Program for grades Prekindergarten - 8

This program is designed to meet the special needs of talented students by providing:

• an enriched core curriculum, an emphasis on creative thinking and academic abilities
• a focus on varying talents, interests and aptitudes
• an interdisciplinary program of study through a thematic approach to learning

The Middle School Academically Talented Program for grades 6 – 8

For September 2008, newly accepted students in grades six through eight will only be placed in the Academically Talented program at Yonkers Middle School (grades 6 and 7) and Museum Middle Schools (grade 8).

The Academically Talented Program is designed to meet the special needs of students by providing:

• a standards based, rigorous academic program for all students
• a strong interdisciplinary thematic team approach in the core academic program
• an emphasis on creative thinking and problem solving skills

Enrollment in these programs continues from one grade level to the next, provided the student continues to perform at appropriate proficiency levels.