Extended Learning Program for Gifted Students
Whether you are already a parent of a Johnston student or are considering Johnston as an option for your child, we welcome your interest in exploring how JSCD meets the needs of advanced learners. The Extended Learning staff, classroom teachers, administrators, and parents have all assisted with the development of our current program.
Extended Learning Program Vision
Gifted children’s distinctive learning needs are met throughout the school day.
Extended Learning Program Mission
Johnston Community School District has a responsibility to provide educational programming which will respond to the unique needs of students and maximize their potential. These opportunities may vary in kind, degree, delivery, and duration, but include social-emotional as well as academic options.
Values & Beliefs
- Students whose learning needs clearly lie beyond those of their same-aged peers require differentiated opportunities and support facilitated by the Extended Learning Program.
- Gifted and talented learners are within all socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic groups.
- Gifted and talented learners require qualitatively differentiated curriculum and instruction that includes, but is not limited to, increased rigor and appropriate pace
- Gifted and talented students learn best in the company of their intellectual peers.
- Gifted and talented learners need opportunities to explore their passions and interests in order to develop their talents, promote self-direction, and encourage life-long learning.
- A student’s need for ELP services may change throughout their school career.
- Identification procedures are systematic and uniform according to Iowa law, and may include recommendations by parents, teachers, and the students themselves.
- Accelerated and enriched learning experiences are provided in various ways, including but not limited to: differentiated instruction, accelerated instruction, grade-skipping, curriculum compacting, independent study, and community mentoring.
The Johnston ELP program has been established in accordance with Iowa Code.
Department of Education Gifted and Talented
Follow the links below to access more detailed information about the Extended Learning Program. If you have further questions or have difficulty locating the information you need, please use the “Staff Contacts” button below to reach the appropriate ELP coordinator.
Friends of Johnston ELP (Parent Group)
