GT LOGO

  • 6th-12th Gifted & Talented Program
    The Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS) works to empower all students to be prepared to live and work successfully in the 21st century. Consistent with that vision, RYSS offers every student college and career readiness programs that meet their individual needs and intellectual ability. The Gifted & Talented program at the Houston 6-8 STEM and Early College High School is designed for students who perform at a high level of accomplishment and demonstrate creative and productive thinking and/or leadership ability. The Gifted and Talented programs provide these students with coursework that has the depth, complexity, and pacing that addresses their level of learning.
    n the school’s Gifted & Talented program, students are provided instruction that is geared toward self-directed learning with an emphasis on research, analysis, creativity, and communication. In addition, students may work in collaboration with businesses and industry representatives on projects and presentations. Faculty members foster individual thinking as well as group collaboration in the development of class projects and research assignments. It is expected that projects completed in this program will be comparable to professionally produced projects and presentations.

    Similarities and Differences with Other Programs
    The Gifted & Talented program runs parallel to Advanced Placement and STEM courses on our campus, working to stimulate and challenge students. As a member of the Gifted & Talented program, a student may develop a project further than their classmates, research additional depth on a topic, or create a differentiated product to showcase his or her efforts and understanding. Gifted & Talented students are served in the general educatoin classroom through differentiation, as well as in a dedicated Gifted & Talented group which meets once a week to work on specific projects and plans.

    Admission Process and Requirements
    In order to be a part of the Gifted & Talented program, a student must first be nominated. Nominations are open at least once per school year, and may be submitted by parents, other students, classroom teachers, or other staff. Once nominated, the Gifted & Talented committee examines each individual student holistically, looking at the teacher recommendation, the last report card, and scores on both norm-referenced and nonverbal tests. If a student is selected, a letter is sent home to parents, and they are added to the program. This includes a designation in the student's record that he or she is identfied as a Gifted & Talented student, as well.

    For those students who are nominated, but not selected, a letter will be sent home to parents; however, they may be nominated again in the following year.