Gifted Math Program
Intermediate District 287 Gifted Education Services through Northern Star Online is offering an advanced Math program as an option for elementary and middle school talented math students during the school year. The Gifted Math Program is a combination of online learning and classroom seminars. Testing for students in grades 4 through 7 to qualify for the program is held in the spring of each year.
Information on Testing required to qualify for program participation
A student must take a qualifying cognitive test for participation in the first year course (scores considered as a predictor of success.) Most students take the test as fourth or fifth graders. Students interested in the second-fourth year courses must either take a qualifying test or provide appropriate documentation and recommendations.
How the Gifted Math Program Works
Northern Star Online provides both the Gifted Math program and a regular mathematics track for students. Please review the NSO Math Sequence (PDF).
Using a combination of Online Learning and Classroom Seminars, the time commitment will be 4 - 5 hours per week. Twice a week the students and teachers engage in an online classroom. On-site classroom seminars meet approximately every three weeks at a location and time determined by the teachers and students.
The Gifted Math course can substitute for the regular math class the student would take at school. Northern Star Online is a state-approved online learning provider. Under the Online Learning Options statute, a student may enroll in an online course to substitute for a course during their regular school day. For more information on enrollment options, please visit www.northernstaronline.org.
Registration Process
To begin the registration process, please print the REGISTRATION FORM linked here and take it to your school representative to discuss the program and obtain the necessary signatures. Then send the registration form and $15 registration fee for the aulifying exam to the contact listed on the form.
If you receive a qualifying score on the exam, you will then need to complete an Enrollment Request Form at www.northernstaronline.org to register for the appropriate class. This will also need to be reviewed and signed by a school representative to confirm your participation as an online student.
When the signed Enrollment Form is returned with signatures, you will be sent login information to the online course and more information on the first on-site meeting with the teacher.
Gifted Math Curriculum - Each course aligns with the Minnesota Graduation Standards
The first year curriculm covers the seventh grade Connected Math Program (CMP).
The second year is our Gifted Algebra 1 course. The curriculum uses a combination of the eighth grade Connected Math Program (CMP) and the Key Curriculum Press Discovering Algebra textbooks.
The third and fourth year; Gifted Geometry and Gifted Algebra 2; are taught from the Key Curriculum Press Discovering Geometry and Advanced Algebra textbooks.
Upon completion of the four-year program students will be prepared to take Pre Calculus in their high school.