Welcome to Bryan's Gifted and Talented Education Program.  It is the mission of the Office of Gifted and Talented Education to recognize and nurture outstanding abilities and support intellectual and social/emotional growth so that gifted and talented students may maximize their potential.

Opportunities exist inside and outside the classroom for students identified in one or more of the five areas of giftedness: intellectual, academic, visual and performing arts, creativity and leadership. 

Intellectual giftedness is verified by an IQ test.  Students scoring a composite of 130 or higher are identified as Intellectually Gifted.  Their needs may surpass the typical high school curriculum requiring additional opportunities such as independent study, e-learning, and early entrance to college.

Academically gifted students, also known as high ability learners, excel in the classroom and typically score well on standardized achievement tests.  Like the intellectually gifted student, their abilities require challenge. Dual Enrollment through the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Advanced Placement (AP) classes offer intellectually and academically gifted students the chance to work above the typical high school level.

Click on image to download  booklet in PDF format	Click on the image to learn more about  dual enrollment at UNO

In addition to rigorous college preparatory coursework, opportunities abound at the high school level for intellectually and academically gifted students seeking recognition for their academic achievements.

• National Honor Society
  
• Academic Decathlon/Quiz Bowl
  
• Mathematics Program
• Academy of Finance (AOF)
• Quill & Scroll International Society
• Minority Scholars 

Students who display talents in the visual and performing arts exhibit the ability to express feelings and thoughts through art, dance, drama, and music. 

• School Musicals & Plays
  
• Cheerleading
  
• Art Club
  
• Sugar Bears Dance Team

Creative thinkers are independent, have a highly developed sense of humor, and easily generate several solutions to a given problem.

• Orator (Newspaper Staff)
  
• Yearbook Crusader Staff
• Bear Bistro
  
• Chess Club
  

Leaders have high expectations for themselves and others.  They are self-confident and exercise good judgment in decision-making.

• Latino Leaders
  
• Class Officers
  
• DECA
• Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA)
• Future African American Leaders
  
• Octagon Club
• Student Council
  
  
  

Transition to High School

Moving students from the middle level to senior level is an exciting, yet challenging time.  Students are entering an atmosphere where they are socially adapting into a microcosm of today's society.  Rigorous curriculum challenges students to reach above and beyond the status quo.

High School Curriculum

The following strategies and standards, supported by the Office of Gifted and Talented Education, ensure that students are offered a rigorous and relevant academic program:

• Ensure that all students have access and the support necessary to take and master rigorous courses.
• Ensure professional development opportunities are available for staff including specialty training for Advanced Placement instructors.
  
• Encourage vertical teaming to enable teachers to collaborate for seamless transition.
• Encourage differentiation of instruction.
  
• Ensure that opportunities for non-traditional students are available.
• Provide opportunities for dual enrollment for qualifying students.

Each high school offers a variety of Honors and AP classes in order to provide multiple opportunities for students to take greater responsibility for their learning.  They are designed to demand more challenging involvement than standard courses.  Students who take honors courses aspire to a higher level of learning. Courses available at Bryan are explained in the Course Catalog.

High interest courses are also available for students to explore individual interests.  These courses can be selected as electives.