Sandra Day O'Connor High School Gifted Academy

The Gifted Academy at SDOHS allows for gifted services to be provided to students who are identified as gifted based on testing.  Freshman students will be placed in an Honors Gifted Biology and Honors Gifted ELA 1-2 or 3-4 course. 

These courses consist of only gifted students and utilize gifted strategies like project and problem based learning to enhance critical thinking, problem solving, communication, creativity of gifted learners. 

The student is able to choose the rest of their courses, allowing them to pursue the courses and topics they are interested in. 

How Do I Apply for the Gifted Academy?

• In the Sandra Day O'Connor attendance area click HERE to apply for the program.  

• Students that are outside the Sandra Day O'Connor attendance area need to apply for Open Enrollment and apply for the program as well.  

What is the Gifted Academy?

The Gifted Academy consists of highly qualified, gifted endorsed teachers who work together to provide unique gifted programming to enrolled students. Gifted courses are enhanced with problem-based, project-based, and cross curricular learning opportunities focusing on the gifted learner and allowing for a more enriching experience. Cohort classes consist of only students accepted into the program. 

• Freshman year cohort courses:  ELA 1-2, Biology Honors

• Sophomore year cohort courses:  ELA 3-4, AP World History, Honors Chemistry 

In upper level courses, a gifted cluster model is used with students assigned a teacher that is also highly qualified and gifted endorsed.  Students are encouraged to pursue their passion at O'Connor while being provided with social and emotional supports built in to the school day.  We offer a variety of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses in science, math, social sciences, foreign language, art and Career and Technical Education (CTE).  

What are the benefits of the Gifted Academy?

• smaller community of learners in Biology and Language Arts

• courses taught by teachers trained in gifted strategies

• provide social and emotional supports for students.  

• student choice with electives (Sports Medicine, JROTC, Computer Science, Graphic Design, Child Development,  Fine Art, Band, Chorus)

• access to over 30 Dual Enrollment and over 20 Advanced Placement courses

• opportunity to do authentic research at the high school level and be eligible for the Capstone Diploma

•  "I like that we are challenged with different skills and different types of assignments. It is nice to be able to do something creative within our classes and think about things differently. I also like that we are able to be in a class with other students who think the same as us." ~ K.S

• "I like the people in the gifted program and how everyone knows everyone else. The environment feels very comfortable and fun, especially when it comes to presentations and speaking in front of the class because it has a comfortable feel to it." ~C.K.

• "It challenges my abilities and pushes me to my limits, while allowing me to be in a fun and engaging environment" ~K.C.