Center for Academically Talented Students (CATS)
The Northwest School District is committed to providing education that promotes the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical growth of each individual child within the borders of the district.
The District recognizes that some students have special needs that require a differentiated approach in order to meet those needs. Among them are students classified as gifted, whose mental capacity and learning potential are such that they require services beyond the level of those ordinarily provided.
Gifted Program Philosophy
Northwest acknowledges that able students require stimulation that is unique from that received by their peers; but it is our contention that these students cannot be isolated from their peers. Our program is designed to provide appropriate stimulation for these students while requiring them to function with their peers during the majority of the school week.
The guiding focus of CATS is to provide the gifted child with opportunities to explore, experience, and express. Activities and opportunities are structured to assist the student in assessing and capitalizing upon the unique abilities, talents, interests, and needs which represent him/her as a person.
Differentiated materials and tasks foster divergent thinking. The emphasis of the program is on learning processes which will guide the student to life-long learning and responsible, productive citizenship.
The Northwest School District acknowledges that highly able students require stimulation that is unique from that received by their peers. The CATS program is designed to provide appropriate stimulation to these students while allowing them to function with their peers during the majority of the week.
The focus of the CATS is to provide each gifted child with the opportunities to express, experience, and explore. Activities and opportunities are structured to assist the student in assessing and capitalizing upon unique abilities, talents, interests, and needs that represent him/her as a person.
Differentiated materials and tasks foster divergent thinking. The emphasis of the program is on learning processes that will guide the student toward a life of learning and productive, responsible citizenship.
The gifted education program services approximately 410 academically talented students.
Kindergarten students may go through the identifcation process. If they qualify, they will not receive gifted services until first grade.
The elementary component, grades 1-5, consist of a full day of attendance in the CATS class each week. Students at this level receive progress evaluations at the end of first and second semester.
Students in grades 6-8 participate in the CATS program through a compacted social studies class. Grades are shown on progress reports and report cards.
At the high school, freshmen receive services through a Gifted Problem Solving course, while sophomores and juniors have Gifted Honors English II and III. Seniors are served via the weekly Advisory period with a focus on scholarship opportunities, college applications, and essay development.