K-12 Gifted
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In Hillsborough County Public Schools Gifted Department there is a commitment to form a collaboration between educators, parents, and students by creating a culture that will prepare gifted students for life and develop their full potential. This is done by providing an enriched, individualized, and strength-based curriculum to meet the specific academics, intellectual, leadership, creative, social, and emotional needs of gifted students. It is delivered by teachers who understand and value gifted students and have been specifically trained to identify and meet the learning needs of the gifted.
Contact Information
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Main Contact
(813) 272-4966
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Gifted Program Services
Gifted program services are available for students who meet Florida’s criteria for classification as gifted. In Florida, students who are considered gifted are those with superior intellectual development who are capable of high performance. Services for gifted students are designed to provide enrichment and/or acceleration opportunities aligned with the student’s Gifted Education Plan (EP). The process for gifted identification includes screening, referral, and evaluation. Parents who suspect their child may be gifted may contact the school’s guidance counselor to initiate the identification process.
Priorities
- Identify gifted students, especially among underrepresented populations, to ensure equity and access to gifted programming.
- Meet the learning needs of K-12 gifted students through a differentiated curriculum designed to focus on learning strengths.
- Enhance the capacity of teachers who serve gifted students through training, support, and leadership development opportunities.
- Facilitate advocacy among stakeholders to strengthen individualized education that will meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of gifted students.
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What is Enrichment Summer Scholars Program (ESSP) and Registration
The Enrichment Summer Scholars Program is a 4-day fee-based summer enrichment program for identified gifted students who attend Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Students attending the program have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a 4-day enrichment program focused on project-based learning with other students who share the same talents and interests. The unique program includes mind-on experiences not typically offered through the regular school curriculum. Throughout the program, students will be guided by top-notch Hillsborough County teachers through technology-infused gifted learning experiences that will result in the creation of products that will be showcased at the end of the program.
ESSP3 – “Discovering Our Next National Treasure”
Calling all adventurers! Do you love learning about new and fascinating people and places? We are looking for explorers to help us discover the next national treasure. In this 4-day ESSP3 program, you will become a museum curator to create and gather artifacts for your very own exhibit! A museum grand opening will take place at the end of the week to showcase and promote your national treasure.
You will learn to:- Use a variety of research strategies
- Create a variety of products
- Plan for and curate an exhibit
- Develop problem solving strategies
- Communicate your ideas
- Collaborate through team building
ESSP4 – “Global Super SpHero: Coding Solutions to World Problems”
Calling all superheroes! We want YOU to join our mission as we change the world by solving one problem at a time. Experience the power of computer programming with the help of our robot, Sphero Bolt. As a Global Superhero, you’ll be using your superpowers to design solutions, code your robot, and collect mission badges along the way.
Over the course of four fun-filled days we will:
- Explore the world of robotics with Sphero Bolt
- Learn the basics of computer programming and block coding
- Understand the importance of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development
- Enhance our creative thinking and problem-solving skills
- Collaborate with new friends to complete missions and collect badges
ESSP5 – The Great Escape: Unlocking a Better Tomorrow”
Do you love puzzles and live action games? Do you care about working towards a sustainable future? If so, then you may be just the type of problem solving changemaker we're looking for! Introducing our newest ESSP curriculum, The Great Escape: Unlocking a Better Tomorrow. In this fast-paced four-day program, participants will research, develop, and create an escape room experience while learning about Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities. Do you have what it takes? Join us this summer and find out!
You'll learn creative ways to:
- Encrypt and decrypt ciphers
- Solve and design puzzles
- Collaborate through team building
- Develop problem solving strategies
- Use design thinking to create an escape room experience
- Understand the importance of sustainable cities and communities
Registration will opened on April 1, 2025 at 8:30 am
REGISTER FOR ESSP
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ESSP FAQ's
Which ESSP program may my child attend?
- ESSP3 is for students who have completed grade 3 and will enter grade 4 during the coming school year.
- ESSP4 is for students who have completed grade 4 and will enter grade 5 during the coming school year.
- ESSP5 is for students who have completed grade 5 and will enter grade 6 during the coming school year.
Who may attend?
- Only Hillsborough County Public School students who are identified as gifted or who are identified as score at the 90%ile or higher on state testing are eligible to attend ESSP.
When will ESSP be held?
- Students may attend ONE of two sessions:
Session 1: June 9-12,2025, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Session 2: June 16-19, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Where will the program be held?
Four school sites throughout the district will offer this program.
- Bevis Elementary
- Deer Park Elementary
- MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet
- Pride Elementary
Note: The number of spaces available at each location is LIMITED. Registration is on a first-come basis.
How do I enroll my child in ESSP?
- Registration for ESSP is through an online registration system.
- Registration will open late-March 2025.
What is the cost for ESSP?
- The TOTAL cost for ESSP this summer is $160.
- This fee is non-refundable.
How do I pay for ESSP Program?
- Payment is completed online through the registration site.
- ESSP fee is non-refundable.
Is transportation provided?
- Transportation is NOT provided.
- Drop off is from 8:20-8:30 a.m.
- Pick up is at 2:30 p.m.
- Caution: NO crossing guards are on duty during the summer months to assist students who walk to the school site.
Note: Students may NOT be dropped off before 8:20 a.m. as no ESSP supervision is available prior to 8:20a.m. Students MUST be picked up at 2:30 p.m. as no ESSP supervision is available after program hours.
Is lunch provided?
- Lunch is NOT provided. Snacks are NOT provided.
- Each student MUST bring a snack, a bag lunch, and drink daily.
Is daycare available beyond the program day?
- Daycare is NOT offered as part of the ESSP program; however, some ESSP sites may offer the H.O.S.T. program for after-care.
- Parents interested in daycare beyond the program day (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) should contact the H.O.S.T. program directly to determine the availability and cost of care. H.O.S.T. may not be available at all sites.
Who may I contact for more information about ESSP?
- For program information, please contact the K-12 Gifted Department at (813) 272-4859.
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Family Resources
Florida Department of Education Gifted Education
The National Association for Gifted Children - NAGC
Council for Exceptional ChildrenSupporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
The Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Institute for Educational Advancement
Gifted Research & Outreach - Gro GiftedDisclaimer: This website contains some links to non-school district websites. Hillsborough County Public Schools is not responsible for the content on these websites.
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Gifted Fast Facts
What is Gifted Student Education?
Gifted Student Education describes the services and programs schools provide to meet the special needs of gifted learners.How is a child selected for Gifted Student Education?
There are clearly defined procedures that guide the school’s Child Study Team through the process of screening and evaluating students who are potentially gifted. Initial screening using existing data allows for all students to be considered as possible candidates for gifted identification, with additional screening occurring when a student evidences potential giftedness. Additionally, a student may be nominated for additional screening by a parent or other individual who suspects potential giftedness. Through the screening process, necessary data is collected for guiding further evaluation and eligibility determination.
The eligibility requirements are defined in State Rule 6A-6.03019. According to State Board Rule a student is eligible for gifted program services if the student demonstrates:- Need for a special program,
- A majority of characteristics of gifted students according to a standard scale or checklist, and
- Superior intellectual development as measured by an intelligence quotient of two standard deviations above the mean on an individually administered standardized test of intelligence.
Additionally, Hillsborough County Public Schools has a State-approved district-wide plan to increase participation of under-represented groups in programs for gifted students. The State defines under-represented groups as groups who are limited English proficient, or who are from a low socio-economic status family.
Further information about Florida’s gifted eligibility rule can be found at https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?ID=6A-6.03019
How does Gifted Student Education differ from the general educational program?
Students served in the gifted program have an Educational Plan developed to address their learning strengths. Florida’s Frameworks for K-12 Gifted Learners http://www.fldoe.org/bii/Gifted_Ed/ guide curricular modifications of Florida Standards to create an appropriate level of challenge for gifted students. Curricular modifications for gifted learners are designed to address the need for more complex tasks, exposure to a broadened scope of information, an emphasis on multiple perspectives, more rapid pace of instruction, a greater focus on higher order thinking skills, and more sophisticated products/performances.What are the benefits of Gifted Student Education?
- Gifted Educational Plans are developed to address the gifted student’s individual needs (psychosocial, emotional, physical and academic).
- Gifted Educational Plans are implemented by a professional staff with specialized training in understanding the nature and needs of gifted learners.
- Opportunities are provided for gifted students to interact with gifted peers.
For additional information, contact your child’s school or the Hillsborough County Public Schools Gifted Department
(813) 272-4460.