The Minnetonka School District employs a full-time high potential (HP) specialist at every elementary school. The HP teacher leads the Wings and Independent Investigations programs in addition to team teaching and serving as a resource for regular classroom teachers.
HP students set annual goals with the HP teacher and will continue to work on the goal for the year. Minnetonka High Potential Services offers three levels of service to elementary students and teachers.
Level 1
Level 1 service is designed to provide differentiated experiences for intellectually gifted students, grades 1-5. Small groups of identified students meet once a week for Wings. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on creative and critical thinking and 21st century skills. Wings also provides a safe environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas.
Level 2
Level 2 service is designed to offer enrichment to any student with specific talents and/or interests. High Potential paraprofessionals, under the supervision of HP staff, run this portion of the programming. Students participate in Independent Investigations, an enrichment program designed to provide opportunities for students to investigate a special interest area. Students develop a project and share their findings.
Level 3
Level 3 service is available to all teachers and students. Critical and creative thinking skills may be taught by the HP teacher in the mainstream classroom, and enrichment materials may be supplied to classroom teachers for use with students.
Accelerated Math
Beginning in fourth grade, students who demonstrate high performance in math (based on NWEA Tests) may join an accelerated math class which completes the fourth, fifth and sixth grade math curriculum during fourth and fifth grade. A small number of fourth and fifth grade students whose abilities exceed accelerated math may work with the HP teacher on more advanced math curriculum in Extreme Math.
Accelerated Reading
Advanced reading opportunities are also available to students who demonstrate high performance in reading (based on NWEA Tests). Students may participate in Literature Circles including Jr. Great Books and The Classics. Literature circles provide individualized reading support and opportunities for students to read above grade level and discuss projects. This is provided as part of Level 3 services.
World Language
Minnetonka offers a language immersion option beginning in kindergarten at each neighborhood elementary school. Four schools offer Spanish and two schools offer Chinese. In an immersion classroom, teachers provide all instruction in the target language; direct instruction in English begins in third grade. If learning a second language during elementary school is an important value for your family, consider enrollment in language immersion. For more information, visit www.minnetonka.k12.mn.us/immersion.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities include Continental Math League, Young Scientists, Destination ImagiNation and Imagination Fair.
Navigator Program