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Educational Programs

Immeasurable potential

The School District of Lancaster appreciates the diverse talents of students and their families and recognizes the responsibility to foster the immeasurable potential of gifted and talented students. We also acknowledge the varied facets of giftedness. That’s why we use multiple criteria in the identification process of gifted and talented students.

Individualized education

SDoL provides gifted support services for any student who has been identified as having gifted ability through an extensive educational evaluation and eligibility criteria set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Identified children will receive a Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP) that outlines specially designed instruction to meet the advanced learning needs of the student.

What to look for

Below are some common characteristics of gifted individuals.

  • Unusual alertness, even in infancy
  • Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly
  • Excellent memory
  • Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age
  • Advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas
  • Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles
  • Often self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler
  • Deep, intense feelings and reactions
  • Highly sensitive
  • Thinking is complex, logical, and insightful
  • Idealism and sense of justice at early age
  • Concern with social and political issues and injustices
  • Longer attention span and intense concentration
  • Preoccupied with own thoughts; daydreamer
  • Learn basic skills quickly and with little practice